Designing a knowledge-based resistance economy educational model at Islamic Azad University

SADEGHIAN, MANOUCHEHR; HAMIDIFAR, FATEMEH; Shirzad Kebriya, Baharak; Khorshidi, Abbas

doi:10.22034/jmep.2025.506095.1477

Designing a knowledge-based resistance economy educational model at Islamic Azad University

Document Type : Original Article (Mixed)

Authors

MANOUCHEHR SADEGHIAN ¹

FATEMEH HAMIDIFAR ²

Baharak Shirzad Kebriya ²

Abbas Khorshidi ³

¹ PhD Student,, Department of Educational Management and Higher Education, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Educational Management and Higher Education, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³ Professor, Department of Educational Management, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/jmep.2025.506095.1477

Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study is to design a knowledge-based resistance economy educational model at Islamic Azad University. The research method is applicable in terms of purpose, mixed exploratory (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data, and systematic (paradigmatic) data-based in the qualitative part; cross-sectional survey in the quantitative part in terms of nature. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part included 12 experts in the field of educational management and human resources who had a PhD degree, selected by theoretical purposive sampling method; and the quantitative part included 190 professors of the faculty of management and economics at Islamic Azad University in Tehran by random sampling method. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews in the qualitative part; and a questionnaire in the quantitative part. Coding was used in the analysis of the qualitative part data, and SPSS and Lisrel software were used in the quantitative part. The results of the study showed that 5 dimensions, 22 components, and 143 indicators were identified for the Islamic Azad University’s knowledge-based resistance economy educational model. After final approval and prioritization by experts, the dimensions, components, and indicators that make up the model were drawn, and the aforementioned model was validated again by experts. Based on the modeling results, it can be said that the model has a relatively good fit with the data.
Introduction
Resistance economy is a type of economy that can determine the growth and prosperity of the country under conditions of pressure, sanctions and severe hostilities (Rahbar & Nik Chehre, 2020). Resistance economy is a specific paradigm of knowledge and economic system that mostly follows strategies and policies for rational and efficient confrontation with economic imbalances and crises, natural disasters, sanctions, and negative economic shocks (Alipour et al, 2020). In our country, sanctions and the resulting reduction in oil revenues have led to a decrease in economic capacity and increased the costs of the Iranian economy (Safarzad et al, 2020). Developments have taken place in the country and in relation to the economic system that necessitated the creation of an economic model. In order to keep pace with these developments, general resistance economy policies were announced with the aim of ensuring dynamic growth and improving economic resistance indicators and achieving the goals of the Twenty-Year Vision Document, with a force majeure, flexible, opportunity-creating, productive, endogenous, progressive, and extroverted approach (Fard et al, 2021). In conditions of sanctions, it is very important to pay attention to the principle of resistance economy in order to overcome restrictions, grow business, neutralize sanctions related to businesses, overcome inflation, and also achieve self-sufficiency. One of the best manifestations and most effective components of the resistance economy are knowledge-based companies that can make the resistance economy more sustainable, and it is stated that if knowledge-based companies are taken seriously and their quantitative and qualitative development is supported, the country's economy will truly flourish by wealth creation through science (Maleki et al, 2020). Therefore, in conditions of sanctions, paying more attention to the knowledge-based economy and helping to improve their capabilities becomes more necessary than ever, with the aim of freeing the country from selling its natural resources and moving towards a knowledge-based economy (Ziaei et al, 2021). No research has been conducted on education based on the knowledge-based resistance economy, and there are no indicators that can design an educational model. On the other hand, one of the problems that the units of the Azad University have been facing in recent years is the issue of the loss of the units and the mere attention to tuition fees in advancing the goals of the university and its survival, which is in contradiction with the new document of transformation and excellence in the Azad University and has itself caused the closure of some university units. Therefore, this research seeks to answer the question: How is the design of the knowledge-based resistance economy educational model of the Islamic Azad University?
Theoretical framework of
Resistance economy
Resistance economy is a concept proposed in the wake of crisis resilience and repair of the existing worn-out and inefficient structures and institutions of the economy, which certainly requires public belief and participation and the application of rational and prudent management. Resistance economy is the reduction of dependencies and emphasis on the advantages of domestic production and efforts for self-reliance. (Mohammadnejadaghad & Asgari, 2015). Ranjbar Fallah & Fathi (2024) studied investment in startups to achieve a resilient economy and economic defense. The model obtained from this research shows that the main category that is the intersection of startups and the resilient economy is the tendency towards a knowledge-based economy. Among the causal factors affecting this process are the components of the business owner's mentality, introspection, value-oriented model, risk-taking and teamwork. Environmental factors include government, media, university and social environment; intermediate or contextual factors include network, culture, government institutions, human capital, education system and social capital; strategies and actions include financing, management consulting, accelerators, entrepreneurial intention and productivity, which lead to the creation of economic and defensive value as well as increasing economic resilience.
Radu (2023) conducted research in the field of knowledge-based economy. The results showed that the foundations of a knowledge-based economy (the basic processes of this type of economy) include: the creation and acquisition of knowledge, the dissemination of knowledge, and the application of knowledge, provided that the necessary financial resources and the necessary and up-to-date technology are provided, which leads to strength in scientific fields.
Research Methodology
The research method is applicable in terms of purpose, mixed exploratory (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data, and systematic (paradigmatic) data-based in the qualitative part; cross-sectional survey in the quantitative part in terms of nature. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part included 12 experts in the field of educational management and human resources who had a PhD degree, selected by theoretical purposive sampling method; and the quantitative part included 190 professors of the faculty of management and economics at Islamic Azad University in Tehran by random sampling method. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews in the qualitative part; and a questionnaire in the quantitative part.
Research findings
Coding was used in the analysis of the qualitative part data, and SPSS and Lisrel software were used in the quantitative part. The results of the study showed that 5 dimensions, 22 components, and 143 indicators were identified for the Islamic Azad University’s knowledge-based resistance economy educational model. After final approval and prioritization by experts, the dimensions, components, and indicators that make up the model were drawn, and the aforementioned model was validated again by experts. Based on the modeling results, it can be said that the model has a relatively good fit with the data.
Conclusion
The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a knowledge-based resistance economy educational model for Islamic Azad University. The results of this study are consistent with the results of Ranjbar fallah & fathi (2024), Radu (2023), Nasrabadi & Mousavian (2023), Zhen et al, (2023), Kamyab et al, (2023), Hadavand et al, (2022), Alkali (2021), and Ghorbani et al, (2019). Zhen et al, (2023) showed that large companies are competing closely with each other, and the companies that invest the most in knowledge and technology activities and achieve the highest efficiency in this area will be the winners. Therefore, the necessary components to achieve the present goal are financial support, technology, management, existing laws and regulations; and finally, correct and up-to-date education that lead to economic and scientific self-sufficiency for the country.
According to the results of this research, the following suggestions are presented:
Increasing the strength of resistance and reducing the vulnerability of the country's economy through:
- Developing strategic links and expanding cooperation and partnership with countries in the region and the world, especially neighbors.
- Using diplomacy to support economic goals.
- Using the capacities of international and regional organizations.

Keywords

Resistance economy

organizational structure

technology

organizational culture

educational planning

Subjects

Education Management

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