Predicting Innovative Academic Behavior of Students based on Thinking Skills, Teamwork Skills and Problem Solving Abilities

According to the policy of entrepreneurship of universities and students, creativity and innovative behavior in students  not only can be effective in the development of the university environment, but also, making students become entrepreneurs and creating employment. In fact, it can be said that in the current changing and knowledge- oriented environment, only innovative students can respond to the needs of the labor market in a given time. Therefore, the aim of this research was to predict students' innovative academic behavior based on thinking skills, teamwork skills and problem solving abilities.

This is a cross- sectional and correlation study. Statistical population consisted of all students in university of Kashan in academic year 2022-2023 (N=7873) that by using Morgan table and stratified random sampling 380 ones, selected as sample. The research tools were four questionnaires of innovative behavior, thinking skills, teamwork and problem solving strategy. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics level through SPSS & Smart PLS.

The findings showed that the mean of innovative behavior (3.34±0.73), thinking skills (3.6±0.53) and teamwork (3.55±0.61) were higher than average. Also, the mean component of confidence in solving problems (47.49±6.16) is higher than the criterion score and the average components of avoidance tendency  (52.98±10.64) and personal control (13.92±4.54) are lower than criterion score. The path coefficients showed that thinking skills (Beta=0.195, P=0.003) and teamwork (Beta=0.377, P=0.001) have a positive & significant effect on students' innovative behavior but problem solving ability (Beta=0.061, P=0.08) has no significant effect on students' innovative behavior.

The results of this research showed that students' innovative behavior is affected by thinking and teamwork skills. Confirming the relationship between thinking skills and teamwork with students' innovative behavior and identifying the dimension or dimensions of thinking skills and teamwork that has the most relationship with students' innovative behavior will help the officials and practitioners of the educational system to consider the development of thinking skills and teamwork provide the grounds for the development of creativity and innovative behavior in students.