Identification of Factors Affecting the Outsourcing of Educational and Research Activities in Secondary Education
Keywords:
Outsourcing, Service Quality, Cost Savings, Risk Management, Secondary EducationAbstract
This study aimed to identify and conceptualize the key dimensions and components influencing the outsourcing of educational and research activities in secondary schools. The research was applied and qualitative, following a grounded theory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 university professors and experienced officials from the Tehran Education Organization, selected via purposive sampling until theoretical saturation. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding with the aid of MAXQDA software. The analysis revealed a comprehensive outsourcing model consisting of three main dimensions: service quality, cost savings, and risk management. Service quality encompassed expertise, educational standards, and customer satisfaction; cost savings included direct cost reduction, time efficiency, competitive benchmarking, and cost analysis; and risk management involved risk identification, risk assessment, and effective communication. Additionally, causal conditions such as regulatory systems, educational needs, and societal attitudes; contextual factors including social and technological conditions; and intervening factors such as managerial and social barriers were identified. Strategic components involved quality management strategies and collaboration strategies. The outcomes included enhanced teaching quality, teacher skill development, increased student participation, and stronger social cooperation and conditions. The developed model provides practical insights for educational policymakers and managers to effectively utilize external resources, improve instructional quality, and foster sustainable development in secondary education.
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