Developing and Validating a Transformational University Governance Model in Islamic Azad Universities of Mazandaran Province
Keywords:
Academic governance, transformational approach, Islamic Azad Universities of Mazandaran ProvinceAbstract
The present study aimed to design and validate a transformational university governance model in Islamic Azad Universities of Mazandaran Province. This applied research employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 higher education experts and university administrators and analyzed using the systematic grounded theory approach. Open, axial, and selective coding procedures were conducted to extract key dimensions and components of transformational governance. Based on qualitative findings, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed for the quantitative phase. After establishing face and content validity, the questionnaire was administered to a sample of 285 faculty members selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 and SmartPLS-3 through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Reliability was assessed via Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability, while construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results indicated that transformational university governance consists of eight key components: institutional innovation and organizational learning, stakeholder participation in governance, transformational organizational culture, data-driven governance, managerial coherence and coordination, structural and legal flexibility, organizational transparency and accountability, and transformational vision and orientation. Path analysis revealed that institutional innovation and organizational learning had the strongest explanatory effect on transformational governance, followed by stakeholder participation and transformational organizational culture. All structural relationships were statistically significant, and model fit indices confirmed adequate reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and strong predictive capability. Transformational university governance represents a multidimensional and dynamic construct whose effectiveness relies primarily on operational, learning-oriented, and participatory mechanisms rather than purely strategic orientations. Strengthening institutional innovation, organizational learning systems, and stakeholder engagement can significantly enhance university transformation, governance effectiveness, and higher education performance.
Downloads
References
Abbaspour, A., Shakerihoseinabad, M., Rahimian, H., & Farasatkhah, M. (2019). A Model for Effective Accountability at Public Universities: Mixed Method. Journal of Research in Educational Systems, 13(44), 7-22. https://www.jiera.ir/article_85981.html
Carnegie, G. D. (2019). The ABC of University Governance. Campus Review, 19(9), 8. https://mpes.sbu.ac.ir/index.php/index/article_100668.html?lang=fa
Chan, S. J., & Yang, C. Y. (2017). Governance styles in Taiwanese universities: Features and effects. International Journal of Educational Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.10.007
Crow, M. M., Whitman, K., & Anderson, D. M. (2020). Rethinking Academic Entrepreneurship: University Governance and the Emergence of the Academic Enterprise. Public Administration Review, 80(3), 511-515. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13069
De Boer, H., & Maassen, P. (2020). University governance and leadership in Continental Northwestern Europe. Studies in Higher Education, 45(10), 2045-2053. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1823640
Deghati, A., & Yaghoubi, N. (2021). Identifying factors affecting the establishment and development of e-governance in public organizations. Governance and Development, 2(2), 1-25. https://www.jipaaa.ir/article_137081.html?lang=en
Dehghanpour Farashah, A., & Babaei, S. (2024). Identifying the components of governance in developing university-industry relations for human capital empowerment. Knowledge of Governance Quarterly, 2(3), 36-55. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1384273/en
Dezhbord, M., & Qaruneh, D. (2024). Higher education governance models in global experiences: A review of realities in the mirror of research. Iranian Higher Education Quarterly, 15(4), 68-92. https://ihej.ir/browse.php?a_id=2044&sid=1&slc_lang=fa
Dobbins, M., & Knill, C. (2025). Higher education governance in France, Germany, and Italy: Change and variation in the impact of transnational soft governance. Policy and Society, 36(1), 67-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2017.1278868
Fartash, K. (2024). An analysis of technology and innovation development governance in Iranian science and technology parks. Knowledge of Governance Quarterly, 2(3), 110-124. https://www.jokog.ir/article_201819_en.html
Fattant-Fard Haghighi, M., Zein-Abadi, H. R., Arasteh, H. R., & Nooh-Ebrahim, A. R. (2021). Designing a desirable governance model in the higher education system. Public Policy Making and Strategy Studies Quarterly, 11(38). https://sspp.iranjournals.ir/article_245354_en.html
Ghaffari, P., Pour-Ezzat, A., Araei, V., & Alvani, S. M. (2023). Designing a smart urban governance model using a meta-synthesis approach. Public Administration Management, 15(3), 400-438. https://jipa.ut.ac.ir/article_94426_19c6fd1643c8e41dfee7ed11f26e27a4.pdf
Miocene, A., & O'Meara, K. (2023). The relationship between good academic governance and student satisfaction, Exploring the Pursuit of Prestige. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume XXII (pp. 121-180). Springer. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1234056.pdf
Niknia, R., Shahi, S., Jahani-far, M., & Hamdani, M. (2024). Investigating the dimensions and components of the good governance model in the university system. Journal of Development and Management of Resources, 2(7). https://sanad.iau.ir/Journal/jdsrm/Article/1103268/FullText
Sedlacek, J. (2025). The Impact of Governance on the Research Performance of European Universities in Cross-Country Comparisons. Revies of economic perspectives, 17(4), 337-362. https://doi.org/10.1515/revecp-2017-0018
Shams, F., Hosseinpour, D., Vaezi, R., & Aslipour, H. (2023). Developing a model for the university's role in the framework of collaborative governance. Journal of Welfare Planning and Social Development, 14(56), 41-77. https://qjsd.atu.ac.ir/article_15030.html?lang=en
Tapiwa, M. (2023). University Transformation And Governance: An Evaluation Of King Iv-Fit. Corporate Governance and Organizational Behavior Review, 7(1), 2023. https://doi.org/10.22495/cgobrv7i1p5
