Systemic Model of University Human Resource Productivity Improvement via Fuzzy Dimatel Approach: The Case of Islamic Azad University Branches in East Azerbaijan Province

The purpose of the present study was to present a systematic model of promoting human resource productivity through fuzzy dimensional approach applicable at various branches of Islamic Azad University in Azerbaijan in the time span of 2018-2019. The research population consisted of all faculty members at various branches of Islamic Azad University in East Azerbaijan province. The data collection instruments employed included two researcher-made questionnaires one initially designed as a five-point Likert scale to identify the factors affecting the promotion of human resource productivity in the university and the other desveloped subsequently based on paired comparisons required for fuzzy dimensional system approach. The questionnaires were validated in terms of their content and internal consistency and test-retest reliability estimates. Initially, the data obtained from the first questionnaire were statistically analysed through student t-test and the findings indicated five main factors that were perceived by the participating faculty members as effective in promoting the productivity of university human resources. Further, the second questionnaire was developed based on paired comparisons of the five identified factors and was distributed to the research sample. The findings emerging from DIMATEL systematic approach revealed creativity and innovation grounding, provision of targeted training and utilization of appropriate knowledge management strategies and practices as highly influential and influenceabl factors in the system under study. Targeted training was also identified as having a higher impact on other system factors. In addition, adherence to competency trends in personnel promotion as well as embracing creativity and innovation in the organization were identified as two factors highly influenced by others.