Identification of Indicators and Components of Organizational Legitimacy: A Case Study of Public Universities in Iraq
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to identify the indicators and components of organizational legitimacy in public universities in Iraq. The research employed a qualitative paradigm based on thematic analysis. Participants included academic experts from Iraqi universities, selected through purposive sampling. The sample size was determined using the principle of data saturation, meaning that interviews continued until no new information emerged from the collected data. Ultimately, 12 university staff members were selected as participants and interviewed. The data collection instrument was semi-structured interviews, which were validated by subject matter experts. To calculate the reliability of the interviews, the intra-coding agreement method was employed, yielding a reliability score of 81.2%. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study led to the identification of 80 indicators and 14 key components of organizational legitimacy in Iraqi public universities. These components include organizational behavior, innovation, adaptability, autonomy, organizational culture, participation, commitment, result orientation, leadership style, organizational support, reward system, mission, identity, and organizational structure. It can be concluded that organizational legitimacy is influenced by multiple components identified in this study; therefore, higher education planners in Iraq may find the results of this research beneficial.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmed Jalil Mohaisen Ali Al Sheveli, Hamid Reza Bahrami, Tariq Kadhim Shlaka, Enayat Ollah Aghaei (Author)
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