Challenges facing Islamic Azad University academic leaders in managerial positions
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 5 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past three decades, academic leaders at Islamic Azad University (IAU) have been facing different challenges for the success of the institutions. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges confronting IAU academic leaders in managerial positions.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study, questionnaires containing open-ended questions were sent to academic leaders in managerial positions at IAU branches in Iran and the collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that the main challenges were categorized into two themes: internal and external environmental factors. Internal challenges were sub-categorized into administration and managerial affairs, financial issues, organizational culture, and students’ affairs. External challenges were sub-categorized into political, economic, social, and technological factors, and international and national competitions.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to Iran and IAU academic leaders who worked mainly in high-level and middle-level of managerial positions; therefore, the results cannot be generalized. The key implications are related to applying continuous professional growth through collaborative and qualified development programs. The implications could be appropriate for other higher education institutions in Iran.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt to study the challenges confronting IAU academic leaders in Iran. The findings can help IAU academic leaders plan the most appropriate framework for professional academic leadership development programs.
Keywords
Citation
Hamidifar, F. (2014), "Challenges facing Islamic Azad University academic leaders in managerial positions", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 694-704. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2013-0043
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited