Identifying and Prioritizing the Components of Social Responsibility Based on University Effectiveness, Using the Delphi Fuzzy Approach

The aim of the present study was to identify and prioritize the components of university social responsibilities.

This research applied the mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. The statistical population consisted of the faculty members of Shahid Beheshti University. Using the purposive sampling method based on the principle of theoretical adequacy, 20 of them were selected as the sample. In the qualitative section, university social responsibility components were obtained from exploratory interviews and the data were analysed by Maxqda software as well as the coding method, Then, in the quantitative section, questionnaires were administered and were validated through relative content validity and re-test reliability. Here, the data were analysed and ranked by the fuzzy Delphi method.

The results fall into two parts. In the first part, a set of components of social responsibility was identified, and in the second part, the importance and priority of these factors are introduced. Findings indicate that the issue of social responsibility, understandability of social responsibility, transparency in decision making, accountability, academic culture building, and scientific correction are the most important components of social responsibility.

Originality: 

The use of mixed research method in the present study led to the identification and prioritization of new components of social responsibility in the university setting as an organization and social institution which is a driving force of development.