Identifying Key Change Management Strategies in Iranian Higher Education: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Change Management, Higher Education, Change Strategies, Organizational TransformationAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key dimensions, components, and strategies of change management within the higher education system of Iran through an in-depth qualitative exploration of experts’ experiences and perspectives.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was conducted among faculty members of the Islamic Azad University who possessed substantial expertise in higher education management and organizational change. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques to ensure the inclusion of knowledgeable informants capable of providing rich and relevant insights. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 experts and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach with the assistance of MAXQDA 20 software. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, several rigor-enhancing procedures were employed, including expert review, member checking, involvement of a second analyst, and assessment of intra-theme agreement, which reached 84.2%, indicating satisfactory reliability and consistency in the coding process.
Findings: The analysis revealed a comprehensive framework of change management in higher education consisting of two overarching themes, ten subthemes, and fifty-seven meaning units. The first major theme, factors influencing the implementation of change management, encompassed six subthemes: individual and psychological characteristics, personal skills and competencies, organizational and managerial factors, organizational culture and attitudes, resources and infrastructure, and environmental and international influences. The second major theme, change management strategies, included four subthemes: faculty educational empowerment, executive support and policy development, resistance management and change facilitation, and communication and stakeholder participation.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that successful change management in higher education requires an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses human, organizational, cultural, structural, and environmental dimensions while implementing targeted strategies to support adaptation and sustainable transformation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mahtab Matlabi Lotfabadi (Author); Amineh Ahmadi; Zahra Taleb (Author)
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