Journal of Research in Educational Systems

Abstract Objective: Universities drive innovation by nurturing talent and generating beneficial knowledge. In today's technological landscape, open innovation enhances competitive advantage through internal and external knowledge flows. This study addresses Iran's higher education challenges by designing a paradigmatic model of essential skills for advancing open innovation.
Method: A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 experts in open innovation and higher education, selected through purposive and snowball sampling until theoretical saturation. Validity was ensured through content validity assessment and member checking. Transcripts were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's (1990) systematic coding with MAXQDA 2022.
Results: Findings identified two skill categories: hard skills (specialized knowledge, knowledge/project management, R&D, financial literacy, market awareness, technology) and soft skills (self-awareness, communication, negotiation, creativity, flexibility, risk-taking, critical thinking, networking, ambiguity tolerance). The paradigmatic model comprises 86 basic concepts and 30 axial components organized into three categories: conditions (contextual, causal, intervening), interactions (individual actions, interpersonal collaborations), and consequences (scientific-technological innovation, social value creation, organizational growth).
Conclusions: Advancing open innovation requires a multidimensional approach integrating both skill sets. Universities should implement targeted faculty training, foster innovation culture with risk-taking emphasis, expand industry-research collaborations, allocate dedicated resources, and revise promotion criteria to value innovation competencies alongside publications. This context-specific model provides a practical framework for transitioning Iranian universities toward entrepreneurial, ecosystem-oriented generations aligned with global higher education evolution.

Abstract This study examined the quality of paratextual elements and their relationship with the cognitive level of reading‑comprehension questions in the fourth‑grade Persian textbook.

A descriptive‑analytical content analysis based on the operational PMF‑7 framework assessed seven paratextual dimensions: organization, reading guidance, image – text alignment, punctuation and tone, interactivity/questioning, multimedia, and cognitive load/layout. The sample comprised eight representative lessons from different chapters, each independently coded by two raters using a 28‑item checklist. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation to examine the association between overall paratext scores and mean cognitive intensity of questions, Cohen’s kappa for interrater reliability, and Cronbach’s alpha for subscale internal consistency
Results: Results showed an average total paratext score of 37.25 out of 56 (≈66.5%); interrater reliability was acceptable (Cohen’s Kappa ≈ 0.79), and Cronbach’s alpha for subscales ranged from 0.71 to 0.86. Correlational analysis indicated a positive and significant relationship between overall paratext quality and the cognitive intensity of questions. Dimension‑level findings revealed that organization and image–text alignment most strongly supported higher‑order, analytical questions, whereas reading guidance and multimedia alignment require strengthening.
Conclusions:The study concludes that targeted revisions—such as structured before‑during‑after reading templates, clear instructions for audio clips, and technical editing—could effectively raise the cognitive level of questions and improve reading learning; these redesigns should be tested in a classroom pilot intervention.

Abstract Objective: Organizational cronyism is a significant issue in public organizations, particularly educational institutions, whose identification and assessment require reliable tools. The present study aimed to develop and validation a questionnaire for identifying organizational cronyism in educational settings.
Method: This research employed a mixed-method approach with a sequential exploratory design. In the qualitative phase, data were collected and analyzed using descriptive phenomenology through semi-structured interviews with 17 employees of the Department of Education in Hamedan Province. Based on the qualitative findings, a 65-item questionnaire was developed. Following face and content validity assessments, it was administered to 545 employees of the same organization using stratified random sampling. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Cronbach’s alpha.
Results: Psychometric analyses revealed that the final questionnaire, consisting of 44 items and five main factors—'favoritism,' 'unfair allocation,' 'unregulated appointments,' 'partisanship,' and 'kinship hierarchy'—explained 57.94% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that all final items had factor loadings above 0.40, and the fit indices (CFI = 0.908, TLI = 0.901, RMSEA = 0.057) demonstrated a good fit of the measurement model. The questionnaire's convergent validity was 0.621, its reliability coefficient measured by Cronbach’s alpha was 0.92, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.733. The results confirmed that the Organizational Cronyism Questionnaire has satisfactory validity and reliability.
Conclusions: The Organizational Cronyism Questionnaire is a comprehensive, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing organizational cronyism in educational environments.

Abstract Objective: This research aims to develop and critically examine a model of employability for higher education graduates, with an emphasis on the strategic document of Persian Gulf University.
Method: The study consists of two main phases. Initially, a model for the employability of higher education graduates is identified and developed using qualitative content analysis and interviews with academic and industry experts. After identifying the model, a critical approach is taken to analyze the strategic document of Persian Gulf University, exploring the aspects of student employability and examining the alignment and divergence of the identified model with the aforementioned document.
Results: In the first phase, based on the perspectives of higher education experts, 15 key features were identified for the employability development model of higher education graduates. These features include: job-oriented educational assessment and planning, development of education and counseling, industry connections, pre-university evaluation, attention to documents, consideration of cultural capacities, development of applied research, monitoring of new technologies, promotion of cultural and educational activities, establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems, training in real work environments, utilization and development of skilled human resources in employment, strengthening and developing employment infrastructure, economic planning and empowerment, and sustainable planning. In the second phase, the strategic document of Persian Gulf University was analyzed and interpreted at three levels: description, interpretation, and explanation.
Conclusions: Persian Gulf University lacks coherence and homogeneity in its employment policy-making, necessitating the adoption of macro approaches and directives from national science and technology policy-making bodies to accelerate regional development.

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to present and validate a model for promoting participation of elementary school students.
Method:The research method was qualitative-quantitative, using qualitative content analysis in the qualitative part and survey method in the quantitative part. The participants in the qualitative part of this study were 16 experts in the field of education who were selected using theoretical saturation criteria and criterion-based purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. In the quantitative part, according to the Krejci Morgan table , the sample size was determined as 384 people who were selected by the available sampling method.
Results:The findings obtained in the qualitative part included 106 conceptual codes that were categorized into 5 main concepts and 14 sub-concepts. The model was developed with five main components: reforming the education system (4 sub-concepts: reforming educational policy and improving teacher recruitment and retention, empowering human resources, and effective monitoring and evaluation), school-related reforms (4 sub-concepts: utilizing the capacity of the parent-teacher association and redefining the role and duties of schools, improving the learning process, and reforming the classroom), strengthening the family system (2 sub-concepts: reforming parenting practices, educating the family), individual empowerment (2 sub-concepts: strengthening skills and resolving psychological and behavioral problems), and social development (2 sub-concepts: increasing collective awareness and improving social welfare).
Conclusions: This model and its components can be used to promote participation in elementary school students.

Abstract The aim of the current research was to present a structural-interpretive model in order to promote the professional job presage of teachers. The research method was descriptive-survey for modeling. The statistical population of the present study were 31 experts of academic members. the factors affecting the credibility of the teaching profession were extracted and based on the opinion of experts, 9 factors were identified as the final factors, then in order to determine the cause and effect of the factors, they were extracted from a researcher-made questionnaire that The basis of interpretative structural modeling was designed and used. In order to analyze the interpretive structural modeling approach and provide a model of factors affecting the job presage of the teaching profession, interpretive structural modeling technique and Micmac software were used. The findings of the research showed that among these nine identified factors, two factors of salary and job benefits and the social position of the teaching profession in the society were placed as the most basic factors in the third level of the model. Also, the organizational credibility and acceptability and socio-cultural activism of teachers in the society were placed on the second level as two other infrastructure factors, which are based on four factors: the level of specialization of the teaching profession, the level of social trust of citizens towards the teacher, the image and prestige of the job. Teaching, participation in policy-making and formulation of educational programs, facilities and opportunities for professional growth and promotion have an impact.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to design a competency model for secondary school teachers based on experts’ perspectives.
Method: An applied, descriptive, qualitative research design using informed grounded theory was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 experts and analyzed via open, axial, and selective coding. Validity was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability criteria. Reliability was confirmed with a Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.876, indicating strong coder agreement.
Results: Sustainable development of teachers’ competencies depends on causal conditions (educational policy-making, motivation, justice, infrastructure), intervening conditions (trust, organizational culture, participation), and contextual conditions (educational infrastructure and technology). Key strategies include innovation and professional growth, while consequential factors involve teacher support, social relationships, and structural transparency. Experts emphasized reforming management, increasing teacher participation, removing political barriers, fostering research, elevating teachers’ status, and strengthening research culture. These findings form the "Sustainable Development of Educational Competencies" model, highlighting the interaction of these factors.
Conclusions: Sustainable competency development requires a comprehensive, systemic approach involving policymakers, managers, and teachers collaboratively. The model moves beyond focusing solely on individual skills to create a dynamic, flexible system for ongoing professional development. Continuous revision of educational programs and assessments ensures alignment with evolving societal and student needs, enabling competency development to become a self-sustaining process that better prepares the education system for future challenges.

Abstract Background: Educational organizations, which are responsible for the serious task of formal education, need teachers who can show extra-role behavior to fulfill their role in society.
Objective: This study was conducted to explain the relationship between level-five leadership and extra-role behaviors through the mediation of teacher empowerment.
Methods: The present study is applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive research in terms of data collection in which, correlation type is used with structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study consists of all primary school teachers of Mahabad city (965 people) in the period 2023-2024, of which 265 people were selected to participate in the research using a simple random sampling method. To collect the required information, level-five leadership questionnaires (Shariat Nejad et al., 2018), empowerment of school staff (Rinehart and Short,1995), and extra-role behaviors (Oregon and Kanoski,1983) were used. The data was analyzed using the structural equation method based on the three-step approach of partial least squares.
Results: The results showed that level five leadership style had a positive and significant effect on extra-role behaviors and teacher empowerment. Also, teacher empowerment had a direct and significant effect on teachers' extra-role behaviors and teacher empowerment had a mediating role regarding the effect of level five leadership style on teachers' extra-role behaviors.
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be said that to promote extra-role behaviors among teachers, paying attention to level five leadership style and empowering teachers seems necessary.

Abstract Given that one of the most important roles in schools is that of the school counselor, and the training of counselors at Farhangian University is of critical importance, the aim of this research was to identify the challenges and issues in the field of counseling and guidance based on the lived experiences of professors and teacher-students in this field. This research was conducted using a qualitative and phenomenological approach, employing semi-structured interviews. The sampling method was purposive, and after interviewing 10 counseling teacher-students and 10 professors, data saturation was achieved. The data were coded using Strauss and Corbin's method. The findings included 152 open codes, 10 axial codes, and 4 selective codes, which were extracted as the main challenges of the counseling field in the educational system and at Farhangian University. The results indicated that the key challenges in the field of guidance and counseling at Farhangian University and within the educational system are individual challenges, academic challenges, organizational challenges, and cultural and local challenges. Individual challenges refer to personal issues that counseling teacher-students face. Academic challenges pertain to the theoretical and practical courses for teacher-students. Organizational challenges are related to undefined or ambiguous structures within this field. Finally, cultural and local challenges involve the attitudes of school staff and parents towards counseling services.

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to structurally analyze the relationship between social capital and innovative behaviors of education staff in East Azerbaijan province with the mediating role of authentic leadership characteristics.
Methods: The present study, from the perspective of applied purpose and from the perspective of data collection method, was a cross-sectional survey of correlation type and based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study is all the staff of the education departments of East Azerbaijan province, numbering 1386 people, and the sample size was extracted using the gamma-exponential method, with 234 people; while three questionnaires of innovative work behavior (Janssen, 2000), social capital (Putnam, 1999), and authentic leadership (Avolio et al., 2006) were analyzed using SPSS24 and smart PLS3 software.
Results: There is a significant positive relationship at the 95% confidence level between social capital and innovative behaviors (β=0.724), between social capital and authentic leadership characteristics (β=0.720), and also between authentic leadership characteristics and innovative behaviors (β=0.413). In addition, the mediating role of authentic leadership characteristics in the relationship between social capital and innovative behaviors was confirmed.
Conclusion: To promote social capital in the organization, managers should facilitate mutual benefits by creating the necessary platform for constructive interactions between members of the organization through trust-building and cooperation. Also, managers can employ an authentic leadership style by establishing a deep and honest relationship with employees in the organization and creating value for them, thereby helping to encourage employees to be innovative.

Abstract Objective: The country's higher education management system has always faced many issues that it is not able to deal with all of them easily. Therefore, it is necessary to know the nature of the issues in this field in order to provide the best management and governance methods. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the complex issues in the higher education management system of the country. Methods: This research was a type of qualitative research that was conducted in 2023 using thematic analysis method. The research community included professors and experts with academic education in public administration, executive managers working in the Ministry of Ataf, and researchers and experts in higher education, and sampling was done using a targeted non-probability method. Data collection continued until theoretical data saturation and 15 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software was also used for coding. Results: The findings of the research showed that identity crisis, quantification, centralization, process complexity and diversity of governance and legislative authorities are among the complicated issues in the country's higher education management system. Conclusion: As a result, deep attention to each of these issues by the managers of the country's higher education system can lead to the sustainable development of the country, improving the quality of service provision and reducing related costs, increasing the transparency of processes, etc. with such issues to be used by them. .

Abstract Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of structural analysis of personality traits, organizational commitment and job motivation with the mediating role of self-control in teachers and principals of elementary schools for girls. Methods: This research, in terms of purpose, was applied; In terms of data collection method, was descriptive, of the survey type; and in terms of the nature of the data, was quantitative. Statistical population, have been including all teachers and principals of elementary schools for girls in the academic year 2022-2023 to the number of 369 people. The sampling method was multi-method sampling. The sample size, according to Krejcie and Morgan table (1970), there were 225 people. The data collection tool, was HEXACO Traits Personality (2013), Allen and Mayer organizational commitment questionnaire (1990), Herzberg job motivation questionnaire (2004) and Tangney, Baumeister & Boone self-control questionnaire (2004). To analyze the data, in addition to descriptive statistical techniques, the following inferential statistics techniques were used Step by Step Regression and Structural Equation Modeling. Findings: The research findings showed, relationship between personality traits, organizational commitment, job motivation and self-control of teachers and principals was positive and significant (P<0/01). Furthermore, the mediating role of self-control in the effect on personality traits, organizational commitment and job motivation of teachers and principals was confirmed. Conclusion: It is concluded that, to improve the professional performance of teachers and school administrators; the institution of education must take steps in order to strengthen personality traits and setting the stage for an organizational commitment and job motivation; and also optimizing self-control.

Abstract In the atmosphere of the fourth industrial revolution The fourth industrial revolution has faced fundamental changes in the conditions of societies, organizations and institutions such as universities, and universities need to examine the theoretical foundations in the future. Based on this, the purpose of this research is to identify and structurally analyze the drivers affecting the future of Iran's university education system in the environment of the fourth industrial revolution. The research is developmental-applicative in terms of its purpose and descriptive-exploratory in terms of its nature, and a mixed model (qualitative-quantitative) was used to collect data. After selecting the population and statistical sample, 59 scientific documents and 8 experts were selected as the research sample. In data analysis, data mining tools were used to identify drivers and Delphi technique and Micmac software were used for structural analysis of identified drivers. In the first stage of the findings, 9 drivers were identified, and in the second stage, the structural analysis results showed 2 influential drivers, 3 two-way drivers, 3 dependent drivers and 1 removable driver. The results of the research showed that The variables of "personalized teaching and learning", "big data", "Educational approach of MOOC" and "integration of knowledge and skills" are key factors shaping the future of Iran's university education system. It is expected that the results of this research will be an effective step in providing a structured and systematic interpretation of the main variables affecting the future of Iran's university education system and the relationships between them.

Abstract The present study was conducted with the aim of presenting prediction of dependence on social networks based on differentiation and emotional communication patterns in teenagers of Tehran city in 2022. This research was descriptive-correlational in terms of the type of applied goal and the method of data collection. The statistical population was 90,000 students of the second secondary level in the 22nd district of Tehran, and 300 people were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling based on Morgan's table. In order to collect data, the social network dependence questionnaire of Kajbaf, Sashabani, Nikbakht and Farahani (2016), the Revised Scale of Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) Kothner and Fitzpatrick (2002) and the self-differentiation questionnaire of Skavron, Friedland (1998) were used. In order to analyze the data, Pearson correlation and stepwise regression tests were used. The correlation results showed that all the correlation coefficients are significant (p<0.01). Based on the obtained results, the correlation between differentiation and dependence on social networks is significant (p<0.01). The correlation between conformity orientation with dependence on positive social networks is significant and the correlation between dialogue orientation with dependence on negative social networks is significant. According to the obtained results, the dependence on social networks can be explained by using predictive variables of differentiation and communication patterns. The results of this study can help educational specialists in examining adolescent issues.

Abstract The present research was carried out by the purpose of determining the relationship among organizational loyalty and social undermining by mediating of organizational commitment of school managers in Miandoab. It is applied research considering its purpose and regarding the method of data collection descriptive of correlational kind using modeling structural equations. The statistical population of the present study included all the managers of Miandoab schools in all grades of elementary, first period of high school, second period of high school, technical –professional instruction, vocational training in the educational year of 2021-2022 among them 262 people were selected by using relative class method. In order to collect the needed data, questionnaire of organizational loyalty of (Kumar & Shekhar, 2012) questionnaire of organizational commitment of (Belfor & Wechsler, 1996) questionnaire of social undermining of (Duffy et al, 2002) were used. In order to analyze data and examine causal relations among the variables, modeling structural equations were used. The results showed that organizational loyalty has significant negative relationship effect on social undermining (p<.01) and organizational commitment has significant negative relationship effect on social undermining (p<.01). Also, the mediating effect of organizational commitment in relationship between organizational loyalty and social undermining was confirmed (p<.01). Regarding the findings, it could be indicated that in order to control and decrease social undermining of school managers and avoid disruptive behaviors, considering the organizational commitment and organizational loyalty seems necessary.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of digital leadership in intelligent decision making with the mediation of team reception. The method was descriptive and of the type of correlational studies. The research population of primary school principals in Kermanshah province in 2022 was 1902 people, from this population, based on the Cochran formula, a sample of 320 people was selected using stratified random sampling according to the population of the research classes such as the type of region (privileged, semi-privileged and deprived), city/district (24 cases) and gender ( male and female) was selected. Collecting data from questionnaires; Digital leadership and intelligent decision-making developed by the researcher were used in addition to team reception (Sultani, 2007). Data analysis was done using Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling. The findings showed that digital leadership had a direct and significant effect on team reception and intelligent decision-making in elementary school principals. Also, team reception had a direct and significant effect on intelligent decision-making in elementary school principals (p≤0.01). In addition, digital leadership through team reception had an indirect and significant effect on intelligent decision-making in elementary school principals (p≤0.01). It seems that team reception among elementary school principals has a mediating role in the relationship between digital leadership and intelligent decision making.

Abstract The growth and development of any country depends on its education and teachers are an important factor affecting this progress..
This research was an applied research in terms of the aim and regarding data collection was correlation. The data analysis method is path analysis type.The statistical population were all senior high-school teachers in Urmia city that between them 306 teachers were selected as research sample by utilizing Morgan table and proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Tools of this research included researcher-made questionnaire for appraisal the performance of teachers)Pourheydar&etal,1398), job enthusiasm (Schaufeli&Baker,2003), organizational trust (Skut & Rader,2003)‌and learning enjoyment (pekran,2005), job autonomy(Fridman,1999). The content validity, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis for validity of instrument were tested, and confirmed. Reliability of instruments were confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha test. According to findings tested model is fitness. Mediating role of teachers performance appraisal in relationship between learning enjoyment, job enthusiasm with job autonomy and organizationa‌l trust was confirmed. In order to creat‌e learning enjoyment in students and job enthusiasm in teachers we can develop teachers job autonomy and creat‌e a climate of trust in the school while accurately appraisal their performance.

Abstract The main purpose of the current research was the relationship between Hexako's personality traits and non-commitment to civic ethics: investigating the mediating role of human agency in students. The research method was descriptive-correlative in terms of data collection.which was conducted in the academic year of 1400-1401. The statistical population was all students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Azad University, Mahabad branch (nursing and midwifery). Through Klein's rule (20 samples for each hidden variable), 200 samples were considered. The data collection tool was Hexaco de Vries' standard personality traits questionnaire (2013), Caprara et al.'s non-commitment to civil ethics questionnaire (2009) and Cote's human agency questionnaire (1997). The results of data analysis using the structural equation method in AMOS software showed that human agency has a mediating role in the relationship between the personality traits of honesty-humility, extroversion, agreeableness and openness to experience with non-commitment to civil ethics, but human agency has a mediating role in the relationship between The personality traits of excitability and tribalism did not play a role with lack of commitment to civil ethics. It was also found that there is a negative and significant relationship between the personality traits of honesty-humility, extroversion, pleasantness, conscientiousness and openness to experience with lack of commitment to civic ethics, but irritability did not show a relationship with lack of commitment to civic ethics, on the other hand, between personality traits Honesty-humility, extroversion, agreeableness and openness to experience had a positive relationship with human agency,

Abstract The present study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the effect of job burnout on organizational commitment with the mediation of organizational silence among teachers of first secondary schools in Noorabad city. The research method was descriptive-correlation of the type of structural equations. The statistical population of the research was all the teachers of the first secondary schools of Noorabad city in the academic year of 2001-2001, numbering 320 people. To select the sample, Krejcie & Morgan table was used and 175 people were selected by stratified random sampling method. In order to collect information, three standard questionnaires of Milliman's job plateau (1992), Allen and Mayer's (1990) organizational commitment, and Dine et al.'s (2003) organizational silence were used. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling with partial least squares approach were used for data analysis. The research findings showed that there is no significant relationship between job burnout and organizational commitment at the 0.05 level, but with the mediation of organizational silence, this relationship is negative and significant. Also, organizational silence has a negative and significant relationship with organizational commitment at the 99% confidence level, and job burnout has a positive and significant relationship with organizational silence at the 99% confidence level. In general, it is concluded that the conceptual model of the effectiveness of organizational commitment on job burnout with the mediating role of organizational silence does not fit with the empirical model.

Abstract The aim of the current research is to critically examine the national system of monitoring and evaluation in Iran's higher education, which used a qualitative approach and a descriptive phenomenological method. The participants in the research included 16 university and research institute experts who are knowledgeable about the field of study. The purposeful sampling method was snowball type. In order to collect data, a semi-structured interview tool was used until theoretical saturation was reached, and in order to analyze the data, the content analysis method was performed with an inductive approach based on Granheim and Lundman's model. The results showed that the challenges of the national monitoring, evaluation and validation system in Iran's higher education system are six categories: the multiplicity of monitoring and evaluation institutions and the absence of a national institution and trustee for the monitoring and evaluation of universities, centers and institutions of higher education; lack of clear, specific and standard criteria for measuring, monitoring, evaluating and ranking universities; centralization in the evaluation of universities, institutes and higher education centers by the government; Academics' belief, trust and weak belief in the importance and benefits of monitoring and evaluation; Lack of a suitable and comprehensive database for evaluation and validation; Weakness of the culture of accountability, follow-up, demanding and evaluation in the higher education system were divided and finally political strategies were presented to improve the national system of monitoring and evaluation of higher education in Iran.