Factors Affecting Organizational Innovation of Universities - Focusing on Shared Vision, Student-Centered Value, Trust Culture, and Organizational Positivity

Abstract

Any organization must innovate to adapt to change and move forward, and without such innovation, it will not develop and fall behind. Similarly, in the case of university organizations, without innovation, they will not be able to contribute not only to securing competitiveness but also to national development. Today, many organizations such as universities, corporations, and government agencies are striving to effectively cope with the changes required in a rapidly changing environment. In the process, many organizations are innovating. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the factors that affect organizational innovation in universities and prepare measures for this. The decrease in university admission resources along with rapid social change is causing difficulties in university finances and management. As a result, universities are faced with the reality of having to innovate on their own. Hence, organizational innovation is required at the university level to keep up with the fourth industrial revolution. Thus, this study establishes vision sharing, values that prioritize students, a culture of trust, and organizational optimism as independent factors that can impact universities' organizational creativity and validates their impact on organizational innovation. Ultimately, the current study prepares a plan for organizational innovation in universities. To achieve the research purpose, data were collected from 118 responses through an online survey conducted from October to November 2021 targeting professors and staff at 4-year E-University in Gyeonggi-do. The design of this study is a descriptive research study. For the analysis method, frequency analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were performed. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed to examine the validity between variables and to confirm multicollinearity. Finally, multiple regression analysis was performed to verify the influence of independent variables on organizational innovation at universities. The analysis led to the exclusion of the trust culture variable as a factor impacting university organizational innovation. The remaining organizational positivity, student-centered values, and shared vision variables showed a positive influence on organizational innovation. The findings of this study suggest that altering member perceptions is crucial for university organizations to innovate. In particular, all university members must share a positive perception of the organization, educational goals for students, and the vision pursued by the university.