The Role of Organizational Social Capital in Organizational Cohesion with the Mediation of Co-Creation Among Faculty Members of Birjand University

This study was undertaken to explore the relationship between organizational social capital and organizational cohesion, with co-creation serving as a mediating variable among the academic faculty members at Birjand University.

Design/ methodology/ approach: 

A descriptive-correlational research design was employed. The sample comprised 186 faculty members from Birjand University over the academic years 2010-2019. Data collection instruments included Tahirpour's co-creation questionnaire (2021), Fandio et al.'s organizational social capital questionnaire (2015), and Captain's organizational cohesion questionnaire (2005). Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to ascertain the construct validity of these questionnaires, yielding reliability coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) of 0.97, 0.93, and 0.93, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using variance analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling.

The analysis revealed that social capital significantly predicts co-creation (standard coefficient = 0.74) and organizational cohesion (standard coefficient = 0.57). Furthermore, co-creation was found to be a significant predictor of organizational cohesion (standard coefficient = 0.74). The results affirmed a positive and significant relationship between organizational social capital and cohesion, with co-creation acting as a significant mediator. Additionally, structural equation modeling confirmed the adequacy of the research model's fit.

Limitations & Consequences: 

The study faced limitations related to sampling and measurement errors, the costly nature of data collection, faculty members' reluctance to participate, concerns over confidentiality, the scope of the higher education system, and a scarcity of necessary research resources.

Practical Consequences: 

Enhancing organizational social capital could facilitate social cohesion and foster co-creation by strengthening trust-based relationships.Innovation or value of the Article: This study is distinct within the national context as it specifically investigates these variables among university academic staff, marking the inaugural application and translation of the organizational social capital questionnaire in this domain.