Identifying organizational agility and leadership dimensions using Delphi technique and factor analysis: An investigation among public sector pension funds (PSPFs) in Iran

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the organizational agility components and factors in Iranian’s pension funds as an example of service organizations in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study can be categorized in the realm of developmental studies as to its research purposes, and employed the descriptive survey method to collect data using the combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods (exploratory mixed-method design).

Findings

Finally, a three-level model of organizational agility construct (modeled as 6 components, 23 factors, and 83 indicators) was analyzed and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis by means of the smart PLS software. Overall, this study provided a new method for the analysis, measurement and development of organizational agility construct in public service organizations in Iran.

Originality/value

Through using text content analysis and opinion of experts (interviews and Delphi technique), qualitative data were extracted to design an organizational agility model, whereas quantitative data were obtained through a questionnaire to test the model. To determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, expert opinions and Cronbach’s α (0.977) were used, respectively.

Citation

Sanatigar, H., Hadi Peikani, M. and Gholamzadeh, D. (2017), "Identifying organizational agility and leadership dimensions using Delphi technique and factor analysis: An investigation among public sector pension funds (PSPFs) in Iran", International Journal of Public Leadership, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 276-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-01-2017-0005