Presenting a Model of Organizational Reputation in Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran Province
Keywords:
Model, organizational reputation, Islamic Azad UniversitiesAbstract
This study aimed to present and validate a paradigmatic model of organizational reputation in Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran Province. This applied study employed an exploratory–confirmatory mixed-methods design. The qualitative phase was conducted using a systematic grounded theory approach through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts in higher education and Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran Province, selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population included 10,251 university presidents, deputies, managers, and employees of Islamic Azad Universities in Tehran Province. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, 385 participants were selected through stratified random sampling, and 390 questionnaires were finally collected. The validity of the qualitative phase was assessed using triangulation in method, researcher, and participant. In the quantitative phase, face validity, content validity, content validity ratio, and Cronbach’s alpha were used to examine the validity and reliability of the researcher-made questionnaire. Qualitative data were analyzed through theoretical coding, and quantitative data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the acceptable fit of the paradigmatic model of organizational reputation. The chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio was 2.91, RMSEA was 0.069, CFI was 0.95, IFI was 0.94, RFI was 0.92, GFI was 0.91, and AGFI was 0.90. Most factor loadings exceeded 0.40, and the t-values for most paths were outside the ±1.96 range, indicating significant relationships among the observed and latent variables. The t-test results showed that infrastructure development and customer loyalty were below the theoretical mean, whereas scientific outputs were above the theoretical mean. Employee commitment and competitive pressures were above the theoretical mean, while stakeholder expectations were below it. Within the core phenomenon, authority had a mean score of 2.89, which was below the average level, whereas the other components were above the average level. The proposed organizational reputation model for Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran Province consists of 6 main factors, 23 axial codes, and 115 open codes. The validated model can serve as a practical framework for improving service quality, strengthening stakeholder trust, enhancing human resources, supporting strategic decision-making, and increasing the competitive position of universities. Implementing this model requires simultaneous attention to leadership quality, social responsibility, infrastructure development, employee commitment, communication and performance strategies, and sustainable organizational outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Farahnaz Kargar Nojoudeh (Author); Fariba Hanifi; Fereshteh Afkari (Author)
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