Designing Model for the Development of International Scientific Cooperation in the Iranian Higher Education System with a Grounded Theory Approach

The development of international activities in order to generate revenue, branding, increase quality and gain credibility has become the main concern of world-class universities. The purpose of this study is to develop a model for the development of international scientific cooperation in the higher education system of the country with a Grounded Theory Approach.

This  study by using qualitative research method based on data foundation theory and interviews with a purposefully selected sample of managers of the international department of public universities (10 people) and experts (5 people) in this field has been done. Interviews were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin coding methods (open, selective and axial).

The results show six dimensions consisting of causal conditions (human resources, physical infrastructure, economic factors, cultural factors, technological factors), phenomenon-oriented (educational and research collaborations, faculty members, policy-making), strategy (having a plan Strategic for international, organizational, supportive scientific cooperation), contextual conditions (university capacities, international organizational climate, international attitude), interventionist conditions (government, political situation, globalization) and consequences (development of diplomacy, Increasing quality, solving society᾽s problems, introducing Iranian civilization to the world, generating income).

According to the results of the present study, universities need to take steps to develop international scientific activities in order to gain credibility, branding, increasing quality and revenue generation, the model presented in this study can be helpful in this regard.