Designing a model for the application of needs assessment in the process of strategic planning in Iran's higher education system (case study: Central Organization of Islamic Azad University)

MINA ALNAGHIZADEH ¹ ( PhD Student Higher Education Management, Department of Educational Sciences, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran. )
HASAN SHAHRAKIPOUR ² ( Associate Professor Education Management, Department of Educational Sciences, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran. )
afsaneh saber garekani ³ ( Assistant Professor of Curriculum Planning, Department of Educational Sciences, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran. )

Submited date : 2023-12-02 Accepted date : 2024-01-31

Keywords: Islamic Azad University, higher education, Strategic Planning, Needs Assessment, Central organization,

Abstract :

Introduction: Strategic planning is an organized and regular effort to make fundamental decisions and perform basic actions that shape the nature and orientation of an organization's activities with other institutions in a legal framework.The purpose of this research is to design a model for the application of needs assessment in the process of strategic planning in Iran's higher education system (case study: Central Organization of Islamic Azad University).
Research methodology: The research method is mixed (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative part, thematic analysis technique with inductive approach is used. The statistical population in the qualitative section included all experts, experts and senior managers of Islamic Azad University in the field of strategic planning, and interviews were conducted with 12 of them, all of whom were faculty members, until theoretical saturation was reached. The results were analyzed with thematic analysis technique with an inductive approach. In the quantitative section, the statistical population of all vice-presidents, advisors, and heads of centers, general managers, managers and heads of departments of the central organization of Islamic Azad University in the academic year 1402-1401 was a total of 615 people, using Cochran's formula and considering the drop of 240 people using cluster random sampling method were selected as a statistical sample.
Findings: Based on the results obtained from the analysis of the interviews, 116 sub-categories, 12 sub-categories and 2 main categories were identified, which were intra-organizational factors (recognition of goals, policy making, recognition of weaknesses and strengths, recognition of prospects, recognition of needs, knowledge promotion, process evaluation needs assessment, human resources and recognition of financial resources) and external organizational factors (evaluation of universities inside and outside the country, recognition of threats and opportunities and environmental factors) and in the quantitative part the application model of needs assessment in the process of strategic planning in Iran's higher education system (case study; Central Organization of Islamic Azad University) was approved.
Conclusion: Regarding the factors affecting the establishment of total quality management in Iran's higher education system (Islamic Azad University Central Organization), all external and internal factors play a role.