Administrative and Technical Innovation in Medical and Non-Medical Universities

Abstract

Introduction: Higher education administrators face with problems such as financial pressures, rapidly changing environment, competition with other higher education institutions to achieve higher academic rank and research, attracting students and more prone to grant more autonomy to faculty members .To overcome mentioned problems ,they can use methods such as; innovation in curriculum, support services and teaching learning process. This article aimed to review the administrative and technical innovation in medical and non-medical universities. Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study all faculty members of public universities in the province (1830 people) were included, from which 840 individuals were selected by random stratified sampling, in 2010. Research tools included standardized Hongmin and colleagues questionnaire which validity and reliability was confirmed by face and content validity and coefficients of Cronbach's alpha (r=0.92) ,respectively. Data analyzed using SPSS18software and two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Mean score of administrative and technical innovation in the province public universities was less than the average level.Mean score of administrative innovation, technicl innovation and technical innovation were between 4.17 - 4.5, 4.47 -4.8 and 4.3 - 4.6 respectivly, in confidence intervals of 99%. There was a significant difference between different mean organizational innovation scores of studied universities according to their demographic characteristics. Administrative innovation was higher in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences comparing with others and the innovation was higher in faculty members with 1-10 years experiences than those with 11-20 years. The technical innovation of Isfahan Technical University was higher than others and it was higher in faculty members with 1-10 years experiences than those with 11-20 years and it was lower in faculty members with the rank of associate professor. Conclusion: Universities should be managed so that the innovation become as a natural part of culture and daily activities and considered as increased knowledge for all faculty members and faculty.It is essential to achieve the ability of expedite the release and conversion of this knowledge to an investment which would consider as a stimulant for improving education. Keywords: Organizational Innovation; Organization and Administration; Universities.