RELATIONSHIP INNOVATION WITH ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY AMONG EMPLOYEES CASE STUDY: ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY OF KHORASGAN (ISFAHAN)

Abstract The aim of the present study to assess the relationship between organizational agility with innovation among staff of the Islamic Azad University of khorasgan branch (Isfahan) in the yea

Identifying the Talent Management Components of Faculty Members

Background: Since employing talent management as a system to identify, recruit, train, promote, and retain talented faculty members to optimize the capabilities of the university to achieve goals seems necessary, the current study aimed to identify the talent management components of faculty members. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on the directors and faculty members of Isfahan University, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. A purposive sampling method was used and semi-structured interviews conducted to collect data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and transferred to a computer using MAXQDA software. Following this, the data were coded, categorized, and interpreted, and then analyzed using a content analysis method. Results: After interviewing 18 university directors and faculty members, data pooling, data saturation, and data replication were performed. Accordingly, 107 codes were extracted from the obtained data and categorized into seven major classes. These were Defining and identifying talent needs, discovering talent sources, Attracting talents, Developing the potential abilities of talents, Strategically deploying talents, Retaining talents, and evaluation and alignment of talent management activities. Conclusions: Based on the results, 7 main classes and 20 subclasses of talent management components of faculty members were identified. These components are provided in a conceptual model. The evaluation and alignment of talent management activities are the main factors supporting talent management. Furthermore, dynamic coherence and integrity in identifying, discovering, attracting, developing, retaining, and effectively using talent, and the alignment of such features with the general strategy of the university were considered the strengths of the suggested conceptual model. Keywords: Talent Management, Competencies, Faculty Member

Identifying the Changes in Cultural Infrastructure towards Lifelong Learning: Professors’ Viewpoint

Introduction: In today civilization, the education trend moves towards lifelong learning. Lifelong learning could be used as a guiding principle in higher education; yet to fulfill this purpose, we need to establish lifelong learning in society. This article aimed to identify necessary changes in cultural infrastructure in order to shape a move towards lifelong learning. Method: This qualitative study was conducted in 2014 using content analysis approach. 16 faculty members in University of Isfahan, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and Kerman University of Medical Sciences with interest, experience, and background in the field of higher education, teaching, and learning, were selected for this study using purposive sampling method. To collect the data, semi-structured and open-ended interviews were used. For credibility and acceptability of the data, outside observer method was used. The data were analyzed using content analysis approach. Results: Four thematic categories were identified as some of the necessary changes in cultural infrastructure toward lifelong learning. The categories were as “individual learning and cultural values”, “learning and cultural mission of training centers”, “learning and cultural mission of family”, and “learning and cultural mission of the media.” Conclusion: The results of this research could be used for officials to give special attention to cultural infrastructures. Further qualitative studies can be useful in this regards. Keywords: Learning, Cultural background, University professor, Data analysis, Qualitative researc

Is strategic planning relevant to non-governmental universities; Experiences from Islamic Azad University, Iran

AbstractStrategic planning in turbulent and changing environments is always in debt. The aim is investigating application of strategic planning models to a great non-governmental university over Iran. Methodology was a R&D in two phases (a- comparative research for reviewing experiences of other universities through the world and b- designing and developing a comprehensive model relevant and fit for the circumstances of non-governmental universities in Iran. The strategic planning team involved key stakeholders like groups of managers, staff and also graduate student's representatives via Focus Discussion Groups to develop important organizational identities as well as strategic components; Mission, Values and Vision

A Study of the Hidden Factors Effective on Selecting a Supervisor: A Phenomenological Study

Background & Objective: Hidden curriculum is one of the new topics presented by scholars of curriculum development during recent years. In this study, the criteria for selecting a supervisor were studied through experiences gained by PhD students. Methods: This research is a qualitative and a phenomenological study. The study participants consisted of 54 graduated PhD students from both medical and non-medical state and Azad universities. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi method. Moreover, simple random sampling method was used. Thus, the present study focused on the hidden experiences of PhD students on selecting a supervisor. Results: In this study, 12 main categories were extracted from 123 common factors of this investigation. These categories consisted of behavioral and ethical characteristics, executive positions, scientific positions, being well-known or famous, and having access to supervisors, skill and mastery in research and statistics, specialty and expertise in a specific field, access to senior students, and limitations and constraints, , gender, supportive ability of supervisors, and the anticipating the future. Conclusion: The results showed that hidden factors such as ethical and behavioral characteristics of supervisors or professors, their academic and scientific ranks, governing laws on the universities, guidelines and regulations of the universities, informal networks, and the possible supports and limitations can affect the selection of a supervisor. Keywords Hidden curriculum Academic supervisor Student's experience

Validity of the Iranian Version of Health Utility Index Mark 3 Quality of Life Questionnaire

Background: The aim of this study was to standardize and develop the health utility index III (HUI3); quality of life questionnaire. This study was conducted for the first time in Iran. Method: Forward-backward translation method was applied in order to translate the Canadian version into Persian. The final version was developed after modifications. Double stage cluster sampling and simple random sampling were respectively used for population and patients. A total of 511 healthy people in 15 regions of Esfahan/Iran and 51 patients suffering from cardiovascular disease completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha and interclass correlation coefficient were used for testing the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The mean age of population was 32.8 ± 11.3 years and the mean age of patients was 48.8 ± 6.2 years. The assessment of Interclass Correlation Coefficient of the tool in patients after two weeks in all eight questions ranged from 0.76 to 1 (ICC=0/91) that shows its high reliability. In addition, the average score in Alfa Cronbach was 0.68. Content validity of the questionnaire was 0.82. Differentiability of the test shows that a higher quality of life can be affected by male gender, higher education, low age, and employment In addition, the utility result of quality of life indicates a significant difference in the quality of life of patients compared with the general population (p = 0.004) Conclusion: The results showed a translated version is valid, reliable and applicable in medical sciences studies and can be used to Persian language

Validity of the Iranian Version of Health Utility Index Mark 3 Quality of Life Questionnaire

Background: The aim of this study was to standardize and develop the health utility index III (HUI3); quality of life questionnaire. This study was conducted for the first time in Iran. Method: Forward-backward translation method was applied in order to translate the Canadian version into Persian. The final version was developed after modifications. Double stage cluster sampling and simple random sampling were respectively used for population and patients. A total of 511 healthy people in 15 regions of Esfahan/Iran and 51 patients suffering from cardiovascular disease completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha and interclass correlation coefficient were used for testing the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The mean age of population was 32.8 ± 11.3 years and the mean age of patients was 48.8 ± 6.2 years. The assessment of Interclass Correlation Coefficient of the tool in patients after two weeks in all eight questions ranged from 0.76 to 1 (ICC=0/91) that shows its high reliability. In addition, the average score in Alfa Cronbach was 0.68. Content validity of the questionnaire was 0.82. Differentiability of the test shows that a higher quality of life can be affected by male gender, higher education, low age, and employment In addition, the utility result of quality of life indicates a significant difference in the quality of life of patients compared with the general population (p = 0.004) Conclusion: The results showed a translated version is valid, reliable and applicable in medical sciences studies and can be used to Persian language

The Relationship Between Nurses\' Trust In And Identification With Hospital Goals And Their Effort To Improve Continuously In Private Hospitals Of Shiraz

Background and Aim: Based on theories and researches, two variables effective in the continuous improvement of services are trust in and identification with hospital goals. The present study aims to explore the relationship between such variables among nursing staff members in private hospitals of Shiraz. Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional correlation study. Some 340 nurses(58 males and 282 females) were selected using the stratified sampling technique. Three questionnaires for the assessment of identification with hospital goals, measurement of continuous improvement, and determination of trust in hospital were used. The reliability of data collection devices turned out to be 0.70, 0.70 and 0.79, respectively. Besides, the construct validity was confirmed through factor analysis. Data were analyzed inferentially using Pearson's correlation test and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The findings show that the relationship between identification with hospital goals and trust and nurses' effort to improve continuously is positive and significant. Moreover, the results of hierarchical regression analysis show that after controlling gender, age, experience and education, first identification with hospital goals and then trust in hospital play a significant role in the effort to improve continuously. Conclusion: Nurses' effort to improve continuously is mostly influenced by identification with hospital goals rather than trust in hospital

Internal Evaluation of Departments in the School of Management and Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Science

Abstract Introduction: In higher education, accreditation begins with internal evaluation of the educational departments carried out by the faculty members in order to improve the educational quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the situation of education and research in the departments of School of Management and Medical informatics in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2003-2004 by applying internal evaluation as the first step of accreditation process. Methods: This descriptive study was performed through applying the process of internal evaluation in the School of Management and Medical informatics. Data collection was done by two valid and reliable questionnaires with five-point ordinal scale for students and faculty members, interview forms for the heads of the departments, and checklists of facilities and educational equipments. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The department of health services management was partially desirable in all areas except “students”. In the department of library and medical information, the areas of “mission and objectives” and “teaching-learning process” were desirable, whereas the area of “students” was undesirable and the other areas were partially desirable. The department of medical records, was desirable in the areas of “mission and objectives”, “teaching-learning process”, “organizational structure and administration”, undesirable in the area of “research” and partially desirable in other areas. Conclusion: The scientific and academic structure has had an essential role in the promotion of educational quality in the school of management and medical informatics. In general, the role of students was less considered in the programs of different departments. It is recommended that the heads of the departments increase their communication with students formally and give more consideration to their role in enhancing the educational and research quality