Individual Factors

INTRODUCTION: This study was investigated to represent and measure the impact of social responsibility components on crisis prevention in a conceptual model. Therefore, according to the research model, this study proposed 17 hypotheses about the existence of social responsibility among the employees of organizations involved in helping the victims of natural and man-made disasters, which would lead to crisis prevention. METHODS: This applied research was performed based on the descriptive-survey research method with a correlational approach using field study to collect data. The statistical population of this study consisted of 250 managers and experts of the Crisis Management Organization and the general departments of crisis management of the provinces (subdivisions of the Provincial Governments). The samples were selected using the relative stratified random sampling method, and the final sample size was determined at 150 individuals using Cochran's formula. To collect information, a 17-item researcher-made questionnaire was employed consisting of three main components (i.e., macro environment, organizational factors, and individual factors) and items for each of these three components. The responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1=very low to 5=very high). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to check the normality of the distribution of variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the t-test and confirmatory factor analysis modeling was used in AMOS24 software FINDINGS: The results showed that the significance levels obtained for all factors, except technological and geographical factors, were less than 0.05; therefore, all these factors were different from the average of the community. On the other hand, since the mean differences were positive in all factors, all components of social responsibility, except technological and geographical factors, had an impact on crisis prevention. CONCLUSION: It can be said that the special attention of managers, authorities, and employees to the vital issue of social responsibility, especially in their daily activities, not only would help improve intra-organizational communication and increase employee motivation but also would lead to preventing crises.

The current study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as a statistical technique to test a hypothesized mediating model to uncover the underlying relationship between the L2 motivational self-system, L2 anxiety, and L2 willingness to communicate (L2 WTC). This study is significant because it considers the unique experiences of English as a foreign language (EFL) learner in the era of globalization by incorporating the L2 motivational self-system. The mediating effect of L2 anxiety was also accounted for, providing a deeper understanding of how emotional factors influence L2 WTC. The data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 260 students at six public universities in China. The results showed that (a) two subcomponents of the L2 motivational self-system (ideal L2 self and L2 learning experience) were positive predictors to L2 WTC; (b) the higher the degree to which learners were motivated by their ought-to L2 self, the higher the anxiety of English learning; and (c) L2 anxiety had a suppressing effect between the L2 motivational self-system and L2 WTC. Specifically, L2 anxiety weakens the direct positive effect of the L2 motivational self-system on L2 WTC, leading to a decrease in L2 WTC. Pedagogical implications and future research directions were also addressed.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effective factors on the productivity of human capital via an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) in General office of Sports and Youth in Khorasan Razavi Province. The present study is a qualitative research with an analytical nature and it is also an applied one that was conducted via interpretive structural modeling. Literature review, interviews and ISM questionnaires were used for data collection. The research population included professors and experts in sports management, managers, deputies and staff of the General office of Sports and Youth in Khorasan Razavi, of which 35 people were totally selected through purposeful sampling in three stages of this study. According to the research findings, 59 effective indicators were identified under seven major dimensions playing role in improving the productivity of human capital, which were classified into five levels. Motivational factors, organizational culture and work environment, the relationship between managers and employees along with individual factors, the quality of labor force, and finally the technology factor were identified under five levels of the model. Finally, it can be concluded that managers in sports organizations should pay special attention to the technology factor and its indicators, which have been identified as the foundation of improving employees’ productivity, which then provides the ground for exploiting other dimensions at higher levels.

Purpose: The Covid-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to higher education institutions, necessitating a robust resilience framework to navigate disruptions and ensure continued educational excellence. This study aimed to design a resilience pattern for higher education institutions based on grounded theory, drawing insights from the experiences of stakeholders in Islamic Azad Universities in Tehran, Iran. Methodology: The present study in terms of purpose was applied and in terms of implementation method was qualitative. The target population was all students, employees, and faculty members of Islamic Azad Universities in Tehran, Iran. The sample size of this study was determined based on the principle of theoretical saturation, resulting in a total of 29 participants who were selected by the purposive and theoretical sampling method and were underwent to a semi-structured interview. Interview validity was established using triangulation, and reliability was assessed using the intercoder agreement coefficient method, yielding a value of 0.72. The data obtained from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques in ATLAS.ti qualitative software version 9. Findings: The analysis showed that the resilience pattern of higher education institutions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic had 189 concepts, 39 subcategories and 10 main categories based on the systematic grounded theory. In this pattern, the central phenomenon was the resilient response of higher education institutions to the Covid-19 pandemic. Causal conditions were categorized into three main categories: individual (6 subcategories, 29 concepts), organizational (7 subcategories, 41 concepts), and social (3 subcategories, 11 concepts). Intervening conditions consisted of national factors (4 subcategories, 18 concepts), while context were represented by global factors (4 subcategories, 16 concepts). Strategies included prediction and prevention (3 subcategories, 17 concepts), response and coping (5 subcategories, 24 concepts), and adaptation and compatibility (3 subcategories, 18 concepts). Consequences were classified into short-term (2 subcategories, 8 concepts) and long-term consequences (2 subcategories, 7 concepts). Finally, the resilience pattern of higher education institutions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic based on grounded theory was designed. Conclusion: The proposed resilience pattern serves as a valuable guide for higher education institutions to proactively address the challenges posed by unforeseen disruptions, fostering adaptability and sustainability in an increasingly volatile world. The framework emphasizes the importance of resilience not only at the organizational level but also among students, staff, and faculty members. By incorporating this pattern into their strategic planning and operational practices, higher education institutions can enhance their capacity to navigate crises such as Covid-19 pandemic and emerge stronger amidst adversity.

Purpose: Organizational citizenship behavior improves the organization's conditions and creates a competitive advantage, and on this basis, research on the development of organizational citizenship behavior education is very important. As a result, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying affecting factors on the development of organizational citizenship behavior education and providing suitable managerial strategies. Methodology: In a descriptive study from type of qualitative, among the universal and organizational experts of Islamic Azad University of Fars province in the 2021-2022 academic years, number of 19 people were selected as a sample by purposive sampling method and according to the principle of theoretical saturation. The samples were subjected to a semi-structured interview, which their validity was confirmed by the triangulation method and their reliability was obtained by the agreement coefficient method between two coders 0.83. The data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed with open, axial and selective coding method in MAXQDA-2020 software. Findings: The results of the analysis showed that the affecting factors on the development of organizational citizenship behavior education had 35 indicators, 8 components and 3 dimensions. In this study, the dimensions were included individual factors with two components of citizenship knowledge and citizenship skills, organizational factors with three components of job satisfaction, organizational culture and job engagement and educational factors with three components of educational infrastructure, educational quality and employees as learners. Also, managerial strategies in the development of organizational citizenship behavior education were included 5 strategies of effective leadership, effective education, providing feedback and encouragement, applying guidelines and policies and promotion based on organizational citizenship behavior. Conclusion: According to the affecting factors on the development of organizational citizenship behavior education and the five identified strategies for it can be prepared the ground for improving and promoting the organizational citizenship behavior.