Factors Influencing the agility of Iranian agricultural higher education

Universities and Agricultural higher education institutes as the main institutions for agricultural knowledge production have new roles and responsibilities in economic and regional development, and therefore need some forms of agility. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explain organizational agility mechanisms in Iranian higher agricultural education system. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using MAXqda11 software. codes extracted were divided into four category including stimulants, capabilities, facilitators and barriers. Based on the findings, the components identified in the stimulant section of agility were changes in expectations of customers and government, technological changes, and competitiveness of universities (4 components). Agility capabilities included competency of agricultural university, the speed and flexibility of the university in the face of change, responsiveness, Knowledge-based, learning and Innovative universities (6 components). Agility facilitators identified as flexible structure, agile workforce, continuous improvement in thinking and action, culture of change, use of Information technology by the university, and establishing the relationships, interactions and effective cooperation of agricultural university with Environment(6 components). in the dimension of agility inhibitors, two components including internal and external barriers were identified. Considering the above components is essential for agility of higher agricultural education system, and improving of decision making process in agricultural universities.