Providing a model for evaluating the performance of defense educational and research centers using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling

Today, in order to increase efficiency, effectiveness, reduce costs and improve the performance level of organizations in accordance with the expectations of stakeholders, the performance evaluation system of organizational units is considered important not only in the private sector, but also in the public sector and has become a fundamental challenge for managers. Considering the significant role that defense research and education centers play in the development of the defense industry and as a result the improvement of deterrence, measuring and evaluating their performance in achieving this goal has become increasingly important and the existence of an efficient system for evaluating the performance of these units. In the defense sector, it is an undeniable necessity. Although the evaluation of the performance of these units is done to some extent, the investigations show that the deficiencies in the current system of evaluating their performance are one of the most important reasons for not using it in practice. Therefore, the current research aims to provide a model to evaluate the performance of defense educational and research centers based on multi-dimensional approaches, from their function in meeting defense needs to performance in the axes of interest of various stakeholders. First, by reviewing the previous researches, the evaluation criteria were identified, and then by forming a focus group consisting of 15 experts’ managers and faculty members of defense educational and research centers, these native criteria and some new criteria were added.