Identifying and Categorizing the Mental Model of Academic Experts Regarding the Drivers of Social Innovation Education in Universities and Higher Education Institutions Based on a Mixed Approach

Many experts believe that social innovation, as a new paradigm, can provide innovative solutions to various problems by involving various organizations such as universities and institutions of higher learning, as well as members of the community. Therefore, it seems necessary to orient universities and higher education institutions towards teaching social innovation and discovering methods for teaching it. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify and categorize the drivers of social innovation education and the mentality of academic experts in this regard using the Mixed approach and Q method. The statistical population of the study consists of professors and lecturers in the field of education and doctoral students active in the field of social innovation and social entrepreneurship in University of Sistan and Baluchestan, University of Isfahan, Gonbad Kavous State University, and Shahid Beheshti Higher Education Center. Purposeful sampling and based on the principle of theoretical adequacy, 20 of them were selected as sample members. According to the research approach, which is in the category of mixed research; It should be noted that in the qualitative part of the research, using 20 interviews, the atmosphere of discourse was obtained and by using their opinions and views, samples, and options of Q and in continuation, Q collection was obtained. Also, in the quantitative part, the data obtained in the qualitative part were analyzed using Spss software, which finally included four final mental patterns, including; Mental approach to individual and social empowerment; Mental approach to policy-making and extra-organizational support; Cultural and value mental approach and structural and managerial mental approach within the organization were identified.