Scholarly research shows that in traditional business settings, organizational innovation and employee performance greatly improve the performance of universities. Globalization has caused major changes in the environment, creating many challenges that require new organizational approaches. The researchers wanted to explore whether this effect could also be found in the academic sector. Therefore, the main goal of this article was to conduct an empirical study to examine this issue. The study used a quantitative method, collecting data through an electronic structured questionnaire. A random sample of 120 academic staff from private universities in Mogadishu, Somalia, was selected for the survey. The data was analyzed using SPSS v23 software and SmartPLS 4. The results show a strong positive relationship between product innovation and both employee and university performance. Process innovation had a significant impact on university performance but negatively affected employee performance. Overall, the study found that employee performance negatively affected the relationship between organizational innovation and university performance. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights for scholars, researchers, and policymakers in academic institutions.