University Autonomy

The present study aims to design and explain a university autonomy-oriented organization model using a mixed approach. In the qualitative section of the research, the statistical population consisted of scientific and organizational experts from Payam Noor University. So, 16 experts were selected for interviews using targeted snowball sampling. Moreover, in the quantitative section of the study, 245 people were selected out of 675 professors and staff, who formed the statistical population based on the sample size determined by Krejcie and Morgan table using random sampling. This study made use of semi-structured interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire as instruments of data collection in qualitative and quantitative sections, respectively. The qualitative data were analyzed through the thematic analysis technique using Maxqda10 software, while the quantitative data were analyzed using PLS3. Content and face validity were assessed, as well as the intercoder reliability. The results identified a total of 4 dimensions and 8 components for a university autonomy-oriented organization. The identified dimensions include organizational autonomy, personnel autonomy, financial autonomy, and academic autonomy. Also, the components consisting of supportive policy, clear policy perspective, organizational values, success trend analysis, financing, financial management, organizational communications, and sustainable thinking were approved by the software.