مطالعات مدیریت راهبردی (Jun 2022)
Identifying and improving mental patterns of graduates' efficiency from the point of view of managers
Abstract
Aim and introduction: The upcoming research has been done with the aim of determining the mental models of group managers' efficiency and providing solutions for it.Methodology: This study is a kind of qualitative and quantitative method, and in other words, a mixed method (quantitative-qualitative) has been used. In the qualitative section, the focused group is examined, and in the quantitative section, Q factor analysis is performed. Since the source of the findings and discourses in Q methodology is derived from the theoretical foundations and research background obtained from the library study and interviews with the participants of the field department, it is a library-field location. Considering that each group manager has a different point of view on the problem of graduates' efficiency, this method is suitable for recognizing their mentalities and categorizing them. The statistical population of this research includes the heads of educational groups, faculties and professors of three faculties of psychology and educational sciences, faculty of management and faculty of economics of University of Tehran. The statistical sample is based on the number of 11 people. The selected managers had more experience than other managers and had at least the rank of associate professor. The main goal of this method is to recognize mental patterns, not to count the number of people who have different thoughts. Factor analysis and principal component analysis have also been used for data analysis. By reviewing the theoretical literature and interviewing the participants, the validity of the research was collected and the validity of the propositions was confirmed by the heads of the departments and faculties. In addition, the reliability coefficient for 30% of the participants were 82%, which indicates a high level of reliability.Finding: In the findings section, the participants identified five mental patterns, including the application of education, the suitability of the student to the needs of the society, attraction to the labor market, research in the university, participation and the development of the student's career. According to the factors or mental patterns from the first to the fifth, it is possible to explain new roles for the heads of faculties and group managers in University of Tehran. Besides, the findings of this research are consistent with the results of other researches in this subject area. In fact, different views have been revealed in the field of graduates' efficiency, which indicate different types of thinking and mental perceptions of research participants.Discussion and conclusion: The results of the research show that forty-five factors are involved in the formation of the mindsets of the professors and managers of the three faculties of psychology and educational sciences, management and economics in line with the efficiency of graduates and providing solutions. With the help of these factors and indicators, the efficiency of graduates can be identified. This provides a better tool for policy making and long-term and short-term planning in higher education and facilitates the resolution of the ambiguity of the performance of higher education centers in increasing the efficiency of graduates. Regarding the evaluation of the efficiency of the graduates after graduation, it is suggested that they be evaluated and measured when they are recruited in the labor market, and the necessary measures are compiled and applied in the organization after graduation. Considering the factors and pattern obtained from the factor analysis of graduates' efficiency, it is recommended that in universities and higher education centers, the scientific and skill approach of people should be precisely directed towards their greater efficiency and finally by establishing monitoring and evaluation offices. Graduates should emphasize this importance. All factors and indicators of graduates' efficiency should be compiled in the form of a written program and constantly updated according to the needs of the society and be available to all faculty members, department managers in the faculties of University of Tehran. Also, in order to get to know the academic community more, various conferences can be held focusing on the efficiency of graduates. At the same time, revising laws and providing programs and circulars to support increasing the efficiency of university graduates can provide an effective step in the field of increasing the efficiency of graduates in the higher education system. Considering the limitations of this research, which was implemented only in three selected faculties of University of Tehran, it is suggested that such a research be carried out in all universities of the country and be compared with the results of this study. In addition, in future research, qualitative method such as database theory should be used to measure the efficiency of graduates.
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