Specifying the model of conscious trust in intellectual development of managers in Islamic Azad Universities

The purpose of this study is to specify the model of conscious trust in intellectual development of managers in Islamic Azad Universities. The study used a mixed-method (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase of the study, grounded theory was used while the quantitative phase involved a descriptive survey method. Participants in the qualitative phase were professors and experts in management, educational sciences, sociology, and social sciences. Through purposive sampling method, 11 individuals were selected as key informants. The sample size was based on theoretical data saturation. The statistical population in the quantitative phase included all faculty members in Islamic Azad universities in Mazandaran province of whom 308 were selected using single-stage cluster sampling method. Research data collection tool in the qualitative phase was semi-structured interview whereas in the quantitative section, a researcher-made questionnaire extracted from the interviews was used. Data in the qualitative phase were analyzed using coding method, and in the quantitative phase Structural Equation Modeling in PLS software was performed to analyze the data. The results showed that underlying, causal and environmental factors have positive and significant effect on conscious trust. Conscious trust has an effect on the intellectual development of managers of Islamic Azad Universities of Mazandaran Province. It also has a positive and significant effect on strategies of conscious trust and intellectual development. Considering the value of R2 for conscious trust variables, conscious trust strategies and intellectual development are estimated as strong predictors. The development of intellectual capital to implement organizational strategies can lead to good organizational performance for the university.