Organizational Learning Culture in Esfahan Islamic Azad Universities

Abstract

Aims: The main purpose of the study was to find the rate of developing the organizational learning culture and propose the possible ways to develop the organizational learning culture in Esfahan Islamic Azad Universities. Study Design: Using a quantitative method, this study measured the rate of developing the organizational learning culture and then, using a qualitative method, a guideline for developing the organizational learning culture in Esfahan Islamic Azad Universities (EIAU) was proposed. Place and Duration of the Study: The study covers Sixteen Islamic Azad universities in Esfahan, Iran, from September 2013 to February 2014. Methodology: To measure the rate of development of organizational learning culture, this study used a quantitative research method based on Watkins and Marsick research on organizational learning culture. 226 faculty members of the EIAU were interviewed via questionnaires, and finally 161 usable questionnaires went through analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Based on the results of the quantitative section of the study, interviews with five faculty members were conducted to find guidelines that can help create the appropriate context for developing the organizational learning culture in EIAU. Results: Findings showed that the rate of the development of organizational learning culture in EIAU has been lower than average. Conclusion: Guidelines were proposed to help create the appropriate context for developing the organizational learning culture in EIAU. These guidelines can be utilized by other universities in order to develop their learning culture more effectively.