Structural roots of the occurrence of academic corruption in higher education in Iran

Corruption in general and academic corruption in particular have always had alarming effectandconsequences for both the organization and society, and many structures and institutions areaffected by its effects and consequences. In such a way that not only does corruptionreducethequality, equality and accessibility of higher education, but it also reduces itscomprehensive economic returns and cultural capacities.

Considering the important roleand proper performance of universities in society, the aim of this study is to investigate the structural roots of academic corruption in the Iranian higher education system from the perspective of experts andprofessors with an interpretive approach.

The research approach used in this research is qualitative and the Foundation's data theory method based on Emerging Design was used to perform research operations. Data from this study were collected using open interview method. The sampling method used in this study is a targeted sampling method and snowball, and using the theoretical saturation index, 15 professors and experts were interviewed as the study population. Their attitudes and views on how academic corruption occurs in Iranian higher education were examined.

Background theory has been used to analyze the data and draw conclusions from the research findings. The main findings of this study using contextual theory included structural roots such as economic, managerial, cultural, social and political roots. Finally, using research findings, a model called the Structural Factors Model of Academic Corruption was presented.

The data of this research is important from the perspective of analysis and it is from the pathological point of view of policy making. What can be seen in the organization and in our country's social system in general is that most anti-corruption and anti-corruption policies are focused on the corrupt person, and even politicians who have very benevolent attitudes about promoting social and academic affairs. Most attempts have been made to address the issue of corruption among individuals, as if the issue of corruption is being addressed by removing or removing them from the page of social and academic activities. Unaware that there are more roots of corruption in social and cultural, political, economic and other structures. So until those structures are identified, discovered and controlled, the removal and settlement of large-scale accounts with people suspected of corruption, including academic corruption, is a pounding of water in the mortar. Keywords: Academic Corruption - Higher Education.