Design and Validation of a Social Responsibility Policy Model in the Higher Education Sector

Document Type : researcher

Authors
mahdi farzam nahad 1
hajieh rajabi farjad 2
javad Mehrabi 3
1 PhD Student in Public Administration (Decision Making and Public Policy), Department of Public Administration, Qa.c, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Human Resource Management, Amin Police University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Department of Public Administration, Qa.c, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran
10.22034/scm.2025.536595.1930
Abstract
In recent decades, higher education institutions have faced increasing demands that go beyond their traditional roles of teaching and research. Universities are now expected to act as key agents in promoting civic values, addressing societal challenges, and advancing sustainable development. Despite this global trend, Iran’s higher education system lacks a coherent, localized policy framework for institutionalizing social responsibility.

This study aims to design and validate a public policy model for embedding social responsibility within Iranian higher education. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the qualitative phase involved thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 higher education experts, while the quantitative phase applied structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS on data collected from 287 faculty members.

The findings identified six major themes encompassing 26 key components, including macro-level policymaking, cultural attitudes, legal frameworks, institutional capacity building, university–community engagement, and the realization of a developmental university. The model demonstrated strong validity through composite reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and acceptable values for R², Q², and GOF.

The results suggest that social responsibility in higher education cannot be achieved through isolated or voluntary initiatives. Instead, it must be embedded into national policies, legal systems, institutional culture, and operational strategies. The proposed model offers a conceptual and practical framework for policymakers, university administrators, and accreditation bodies to align academic institutions with societal needs.

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Society Culture Media
Volume 14, Issue 56
Autumn 2025
Pages 413-447

  • Receive Date 24 July 2025
  • Revise Date 03 September 2025
  • Accept Date 06 September 2025