Investigating the gap between existing and desirable institutional research using distance analysis technique (Case study of Noushirvani Babol University of Technology)

The present study was conducted with the aim of clarifying the existing and desirable situation of similar functions of institutional research in Babol Noshirvani University of Technology. The Survey population consisted of 70 experts of Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, 60 of whom were selected by stratified random sampling.The instrument used in this study was the standard questionnaire for the evaluation of institutional research functions that contained 37 pairs of corresponding questions, which were designed based on the five-point Likert scale. To analyze the data using Wilcoxon's tests, Spearman correlation using SPSS21 software was used. The findings showed that there is a gap in all aspects of institutional research.In the dimensions, from the highest to the lowest gap in this analysis are for policies, information authority, accountability, evaluation, research and decision making, communication and intermediate, the greatest gap is related to the assessment of the degree and success rate of graduates in engagement and entrepreneurship. From the evaluation point and the lowest gap is related to the relationship between universities and international institutions from communication point. There is a positive correlation between the between all of gaps. The status quo for institutional research is not meeting expectations from experts in Babol Noushirvani University of Technology. Given the effects and interactions of the gaps on each other, the adoption of a multifaceted decision-making approach to manage and reduce existing distances is inevitable.In this regard, the establishment of an institutional research office can be a good way to this achieve goals

The relationship between social capital and knowledge management in knowledge-based organizations ,

This paper presents a survey on relationship between social capital and knowledge management for knowledge based organizations. This research is of descriptive-correlation one and the sample includes 100 faculty members of non-governmental institutes of Babol city. The instrument was questionnaire and the analysis performed using SPSS17 and Lisrel 8.8 software. Pearson correlation test, multiple regression analysis route analysis, and structural equations modeling were used as statistical tests. The research showed that social capital had direct and significant effect on knowledge management in 99% confidence interval. Among the dimensions of social capital, trust and social norms with knowledge application; trust with knowledge acquisition; trust and social norms with knowledge transfer; trust and networks association with knowledge creation; and trust, social norms and networks association with knowledge record had significant and positive effects in 95% confidence interval. Social capital was effective on knowledge management and knowledge based organizations could promote knowledge creation, acquisition, record, application and transfer process by improving social capitals

Students' happiness and ranking of its dimensions in Mazandaran University of Science and Technology during the COVID-19 crisis

BACKGROUND: Happiness and life satisfaction are positive indicators of mental health that should be considered by higher education and health officials. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of happiness and life satisfaction in students of Mazandaran University of Science and Technology during the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is practical in terms of purpose and descriptive survey in terms of nature. The statistical population of this research was 2500 people. A total of 333 samples were selected by stratified random sampling. Data collection was performed using the standard Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and data analysis was performed by Friedman test, mean, and ranking. RESULTS: All dimensions of happiness of students of Mazandaran University of Science and Technology at the time of the outbreak of COVID-19 were in a relatively favorable situation. The dimensions of happiness were positive mood (3.57), positive energy (3.56), satisfaction (3.02), self-esteem (2.80), and life satisfaction (2.04). There was a significant difference between the dimensions of happiness and the variables of family income status (students with better financial status had a higher average), field of study (civil engineering students had a higher average), and gender (women had a higher average). No significant difference was found among the variables of marriage, educational level, semester, or rank in terms of several family children, with the dimensions of happiness. CONCLUSION: Examining the dimensions of students' happiness during the COVID-19 crisis will help the officials of the higher education system, in addition to planning to maintain the personal health and safety of students and curriculum appropriate to the time of crisis, and implement appropriate programs to maintain and promote the mental health and happiness of students