Defensive Future Studies

Defensive Future Studies

Drivers and key factors for the development of critical thinking of administrators (Case: Command and Staff University of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
leila sadeghi 1
Parivash Jaafari 2
Behnam Golshahi 3
1 PhD student, in Educational Management, Islamic Azad University, (Science and Research Unit), Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Educational Management, Islamic Azad University (Science and Research Unit), Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor of Human Resource Management, IRI Military Command and Staff University. Tehran. Iran
10.22034/dfsr.2024.2040526.1821
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to identify and analyze key drivers influencing the development of critical thinking among administrators at the University of Command and Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Methodology: This descriptive-analytical research used a mixed-method approach with a sequential exploratory design. Initially, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify key factors. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 19 senior administrators at DAFOOS. Qualitative data were analyzed using MaxQDA, and the study's validity was ensured through, peer reviews, and a Kappa test, yielding a score of 0.79. In the quantitative phase, the same 19 administrators completed a paired comparison questionnaire, and data were analyzed using MICMAC software.
Findings: In the qualitative phase, drivers for developing critical thinking were categorized into four main groups: individual and cognitive factors, organizational factors, environmental factors, and strategic factors. In the quantitative phase, the driver "intelligence and critical insight" ranked first with a direct influence weight of 33.3 and a potential impact score of 42,621. In contrast, the "academic culture" driver ranked second with the same direct influence weight of 33.3 and a potential impact score of 42,576.
Conclusion: The results indicate that developing critical thinking among administrators is a complex, multifaceted process requiring attention to the dynamic interactions between drivers. This research presents a comprehensive model for analyzing and identifying key drivers, which can enhance decision-making quality and administrative performance
Keywords
Critical Thinking
Key Drivers
Administrative Development
Mixed-Method Research

Subjects

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