Application of a Model of Higher Education for Commercializing Knowledge and Meeting the Needs of the Study Population Comprehensive and Very Large Branches of Islamic Azad University

Purpose: The present study was conducted aimed to apply a model of higher education for commercializing knowledge and responding to the needs of society in comprehensive and large branches of Islamic Azad University. Methodology: This study was applied in terms of objective, and in terms of method is in the category of data-based qualitative and exploratory research, conducted in two phases. In the first phase, while reviewing the literature, by 18 in-depth and semi-structured interviews using theoretical purposeful sampling (including 15 faculty members and 3 experts in the industry) required data were collcted that reached saturation. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed based on the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin at three stages of open, axial and selective coding. Findings: Finally, a summary of the developed model was presented to 4 professors, and their opinions were collected for correction and adjustment. In order to evaluate the reliability of the data, the criteria of the Grounded Theory including comprehensibility, compatibility, controllability, and generality of Strauss and Corbin (2008) were carefully investigated. In the second phase, the results of the analysis were compiled in the form of a questionnaire and the first stage of Delphi was performed on 15 experts and by calculating Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (W) of 0.564, 25 components were excluded. Then, the second and third stages of Delphi were performed on 15 and 12 experts, respectively. Given that a significant coefficient of less than 5% was obtained for all components, no component was excluded at the second and third stages of Delphi, and Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (W) was calculated to be 0.600 and 0.788, respectively, indicating a consensus among members. Conclusions: Finally, the research model was developed with 6 main categories and 43 sub-categories.