Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• HamidReza Mahmoodi ¹
• Mohammad Hassanzadeh ²
• Atefeh Sharif ³

¹ Tarbiat Modares University

² Professor at Tarbiat Modares University

³ **Assistant Professor at Tarbiat Modares University**

Abstract

This study identifies and analyzes barriers to knowledge value creation in Iran’s higher education system. Given its critical role in economic, social, and cultural development, the research examines individual, organizational, structural, economic, social, political, and technological barriers. The ultimate goal is to enhance knowledge value creation in universities. This research follows interpretivism and positivism paradigms using an exploratory mixed-methods approach. First, thematic analysis identified barriers, which were then ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study's population includes students and faculty members in Iran’s higher education system, with a purposeful sample of 40 participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and a hierarchical questionnaire facilitated pairwise comparisons of barriers. Infrastructural barriers (0.21) have the highest impact, followed by organizational (0.175), technological (0.145), individual (0.12), economic (0.095), political (0.085), social (0.08), and managerial (0.05) barriers. Key obstacles include weak university-industry collaboration, insufficient funding, lack of supportive policies, social inequalities, and gender and racial discrimination. Addressing these barriers is crucial for improving knowledge value creation in higher education. Enhancing university-industry collaboration, strengthening educational and research infrastructures, and aligning academic efforts with societal needs can significantly boost the higher education system’s role in Iran’s economic and social progress.

Keywords

• Value
• Value Creation
• Knowledge
• Higher Education
• Iran