Search Results for institutional-performance

Abstract

The internal audit function is considered one of the basic functions in institutions because it is a source of information and data that is characterized by its credibility, and because it is a review and monitoring process of all the financial and non-financial operations of the institution in terms of discovering errors and shortcomings or even fraud and manipulation operations, and that one of the most important goals of the institution is its survival and continuity, and for this reason it led to the emergence of the internal audit function, and that the success of any institution lies in the success of its administrative and financial performance evaluation systems as it is the mirror reflecting the evaluation of actual performance compared to the planned performance of the institution.

The research aimed to determine the extent of the necessity of the internal audit function and performance within institutions, and the extent of the ability of institutions to achieve the desired goals through the optimal use of available resources. A set of tools were used, the most important of which were Arabic and foreign books, theses and dissertations in their theoretical aspect, while the practical aspect was the method of direct interviews with the working staff in the department who are specialists, observations and inquiries. Among the most important conclusions reached is that work is not done according to the schedule of tasks, as all the working staff in the department carry out all the work, and the organizational structure prepared by the Studies and Planning Department is not adhered to, as it was found that the Graduates and Certifications Division was merged in terms of work with the Registration and Acceptance Division.

Among the most important recommendations is obligating the department’s staff to implement the work according to the tasks assigned to each division and to work according to the tools of internal control (separation of responsibilities), obligating the divisions to the organizational structure in order to determine responsibilities and provide procedures that do not allow any staff to violate internal control. In short, the internal audit function contributes to achieving the effectiveness and efficiency of institutional performance by evaluating its operations and submitting the results of its work in the form of periodic reports to the institution’s senior management.

Keywords: Auditing, internal auditing, effectiveness, efficiency, institutional performance.

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed the global higher education landscape, making the transition toward smart universities a strategic necessity rather than a developmental option. Despite ongoing reform efforts in Iraq, higher education institutions continue to face significant challenges related to governance, digital infrastructure, data management, research capacity, and institutional readiness. The research problem stems from the existence of a substantial gap between the current state of Iraqi universities and the requirements of internationally recognized smart university models, which limits their ability to contribute effectively to sustainable development and the knowledge economy. This study aims to analyze the current status of smart university transformation in Iraq through a gap analysis approach and to develop a strategic roadmap that supports the transition process. Using a qualitative analytical methodology, the study examines the Iraqi higher education environment, identifies major transformation gaps, and evaluates key dimensions including governance, digital infrastructure, policy frameworks, pedagogy, research and innovation, stakeholder engagement, financing, and risk management. The findings reveal significant deficiencies in digital readiness, institutional integration, data governance, technological infrastructure, and university–industry collaboration. The study highlights the importance of establishing a coherent national framework that aligns digital transformation initiatives with higher education policies and development priorities. Based on the identified gaps, a comprehensive strategic roadmap is proposed to guide universities and policymakers through a phased transformation process toward smart university implementation. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on higher education digital transformation by providing a context-specific framework for Iraq and offering practical policy recommendations to enhance institutional performance, innovation capacity, educational quality, and long-term socio-economic development.

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of entrepreneurial strategic leadership on achieving institutional excellence through a field study at Al-Husayniya General Hospital. The study stemmed from the problem of some institutions' weak adoption of modern leadership styles that combine strategic vision, innovation, and initiative, which may negatively affect their institutional performance and ability to achieve sustainable excellence. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, and a questionnaire was designed as the primary data collection tool. (132) questionnaires were distributed to a sample of hospital administrators, department heads, and unit managers, and (102) questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of (77%). Of these, (89) questionnaires were deemed valid for statistical analysis. The study concluded that there is a statistically significant correlation between entrepreneurial strategic leadership and institutional excellence. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive impact of entrepreneurial strategic leadership, in its various dimensions, on achieving institutional excellence. The results confirmed that the adoption of a clear strategic vision by administrative leaders, the promotion of a culture of innovation, and the encouragement of initiative and calculated risk-taking effectively contribute to improving institutional performance, raising the quality of services, and enhancing the institution's competitiveness. The study recommended the necessity of strengthening entrepreneurial strategic leadership practices within healthcare institutions by developing the skills of administrative leaders, disseminating a culture of innovation, and adopting organizational policies that support institutional excellence, thereby contributing to achieving sustainability and organizational superiority.

Abstract

This research aims to identify the role of strategic leadership, through its dimensions (clarity of strategic direction, rational use of authority, and ethical and value framework), in achieving outstanding performance in the private universities included in the research sample. (153) valid questionnaires were distributed to the research sample, which included senior and middle management. The data were processed and analyzed using several statistical methods, most notably (arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, Pearson correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression) using the SPSS V28 statistical software. One of the most important conclusions reached by the research is the existence of a statistically significant correlation between strategic leadership (with its three dimensions: clarity of strategic direction, rational use of authority, and ethical and value framework) and the level of outstanding performance in private universities. This indicates that adopting these dimensions contributes to enhancing the universities' ability to improve their focus on beneficiaries, develop their internal processes, and improve their human resource management as key inputs for institutional excellence. The research recommends the necessity of adopting an integrated strategic leadership system in private universities, based on developing clear and updated documents and strategies, promoting organized delegation of powers, establishing the ethical framework, building leadership and human capacities, and supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, in a way that contributes to raising the levels of institutional performance and achieving excellence in the higher education environment.     

Abstract

This study aims to identify the importance of intellectual capital and its impact on achieving organizational mindfulness. It represents a serious scientific endeavor to bridge or reduce the knowledge gap in understanding the nature of the relationship between these variables within educational organizations by surveying the opinions of the target sample at Al-Mustaqbal University. The study's theoretical framework is based on the premise that intellectual capital is one of the most important intangible resources possessed by contemporary universities and that effective investment in its dimensions contributes to enhancing an organization's ability to anticipate changes, adapt, and make sound decisions. Organizational mindfulness also represents an important strategic resource that enables organizations to confront environmental changes and rapidly evolving challenges with a high degree of efficiency and flexibility. Accordingly, the research problem was formulated around the following central question: What is the impact of intellectual capital on organizational mindfulness at Al-Mustaqbal University? This question was translated into a hypothetical model comprising two main variables. The first, the independent variable, is intellectual capital, with its three dimensions: human capital, structural capital, and relational capital. The second, the dependent variable, is organizational mindfulness, with its dimensions: sensitivity to operations, reluctance to simplify interpretations, resilience, and deference to expertise. The researchers sought to achieve the study's objectives by adopting the descriptive-analytical approach to data collection and analysis, drawing on multiple sources, most notably a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 150 members of Al-Mustaqbal University, drawn from a population of 200 individuals. All questionnaires were deemed valid for statistical analysis. The data were processed using several statistical methods with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study yielded several statistical findings, most notably a significant positive correlation and a positive effect between intellectual capital and organizational mindfulness. This indicates that developing the dimensions of intellectual capital contributes effectively to enhancing organizational mindfulness within the university, thereby supporting its ability to respond to changes and improve institutional performance.

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of applying Social Responsibility Accounting (SRA) on rationalizing government expenditure in the Directorate of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in Babylon Governorate. It seeks to measure management awareness of the SRA concept, analyze the actual level of its application across its main dimensions (economic, social, and environmental), and clarify the extent to which such awareness contributes to the optimal use of financial resources. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach using the case study method. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to 60 respondents, of which 47 were returned, and 42 valid questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software. The results indicate a high level of SRA implementation across all three dimensions. The findings of the main hypothesis test reveal a statistically significant effect of management awareness of SRA on government spending rationalization, with a coefficient of determination (R² = 0.765). Multiple regression analysis shows that the economic dimension has the strongest impact on rationalizing expenditure, followed by the environmental dimension, while the social dimension has a relatively weaker effect. The study recommends enhancing managerial awareness of SRA, adopting a clear accounting framework for performance measurement, and ensuring balanced support of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Integrating SRA into institutional performance evaluation criteria would improve organizational performance, strengthen public trust, and support sustainable development.

Abstract

Strategic human resource planning enables organizations to secure the required human resources in terms of quantity, quality, and timing to achieve their strategic objectives. Achieving high levels of quality, excellence, and organizational performance has become an essential and urgent requirement that organizations can no longer afford to overlook. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the role of strategic human resource planning in developing the leadership pathway at Rafidain Bank. The study aims to assess the level of institutional performance excellence from the perspective of employees at Rafidain Bank in Baghdad and to clarify the relationship between the study variables, namely strategic human resource planning and leadership pathway development.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the role of digital sustainability strategy in enhancing knowledge work productivity and its relationship with supporting poverty recovery in local government institutions, through an applied study conducted at the Najaf Governorate Council. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach with a correlational-explanatory design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a simple random sample of 120 employees from a total population of 209 employees. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 28, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression analysis. Findings: The findings indicate that the level of digital sustainability strategy implementation was moderate, with an overall mean of 3.31. The social dimension recorded the highest mean (3.54), whereas the economic dimension recorded the lowest (3.11). Knowledge work productivity was relatively high, with an overall mean of 3.52. Cognitive complexity recorded the highest mean (3.72), while innovation recorded the lowest (3.36). The results further revealed statistically significant positive correlations between digital sustainability strategy and knowledge work productivity (R = 0.71), digital sustainability strategy and support for poverty recovery (R = 0.81), and knowledge work productivity and support for poverty recovery (R = 0.66), at p < 0.001. Simple linear regression also demonstrated a positive and statistically significant effect of digital sustainability strategy on knowledge work productivity (β = 0.67), explaining 50% of its variance (R² = 0.50). Originality/Value: The study contributes to addressing a research gap by integrating digital sustainability, knowledge work productivity, and support for poverty recovery within the context of local government institutions in Iraq. It provides an empirical basis for directing digital transformation towards improving institutional performance and supporting sustainable local development.

Abstract

In the midst of the turbulent waves of the digital revolution that are reshaping the face of the contemporary world and the innovative methods that have resulted in business management and the formulation of services, digital leadership has emerged as a driving force and a fundamental driver of the wheel of digital transformation within the corridors of institutions, and this importance is clearly manifested in the financial sector, which is the most responsive to the call of technology, and from this point of view, our research seeks to explore the role that digital entrepreneurship plays in accelerating the pace of digital transformation, taking from the branch of Qi Card Company in Babil Governorate is a living example of research because of the weight of this company in the Iraqi financial system and its role in promoting financial inclusion and supporting electronic financial services, In the midst of the turbulent digital revolution that is reshaping the face of the modern world, digital leadership has emerged as a driving force and a key driver for accelerating digital transformation within organizations, particularly in the financial sector, which is one of the most technologically responsive. From this perspective, this research aims to clarify the impact of digital leadership in accelerating digital transformation within Qi Card – Babylon Branch, as one of the leading institutions in the field of electronic financial services in Iraq, The research adopted the descriptive-analytical method, and the data were collected in the field through a questionnaire distributed to (50) employees of the company, and (45) questionnaires valid for statistical analysis were retrieved. The data were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS), through the application of descriptive analysis methods, correlation coefficient testing, and linear regression analysis to measure the strength of the impact between the research variables, and the results showed that there is a direct moral impact of digital leadership in accelerating digital transformation within Qi Card – Babylon Branch, which emphasizes the importance of adopting digital leadership practices in enhancing institutional performance and achieving competitive excellence in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Abstract

In light of rapid economic changes and the increasing intensity of global competition, economic units seek to achieve excellence and efficiency by improving the management of their resources and reducing costs without affecting the quality of products or services. Rationalizing the allocation of costs is considered one of the modern administrative methods that aims to optimize the use of resources and distribute costs to activities. Strictly proportional to its contribution to creating added value in order to achieve this goal, value chain analysis has become an effective strategic tool that contributes to improving cost allocation and enhancing institutional performance. Value chain analysis, created by Michael Porter, depends on analyzing the main and supporting activities within the economic unit and evaluating them with the aim of identifying activities that contribute to creating value. Reality of the product or service from the customer's point of view, Compared to activities that raise costs without providing a tangible return, this methodology contributes to eliminating unnecessary costs and activities that do not add value, which helps achieve greater efficiency in allocating financial and human resources. Applying value chain analysis helps in restructuring operations in a way that ensures compatibility. Between diverse activities and market needs, This contributes to reducing waste and achieving a sustainable competitive advantage. It also contributes to enabling economic units to determine appropriate pricing strategies that reflect actual costs and help enhance profitability margins.