Impact of TQM Practices on the Transformation into Entrepreneurial Universities in Palestine: The Moderating Role of Innovation رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Nowadays, the higher education sector is facing a rapid change as a result of the increasing competition locally and internationally, in addition to the technological advancements that are taking place; which imposed a great pressure on universities to develop their processes and educational efficiency. Furthermore, the market-orientation dominance left no choices for universities but to adopt quality performs and systems in order to improve their education efficiency, in addition to their competitive advantages. However, the sustainable competitive advantage needs TQM application and actual implementation, along with fostering and encouraging innovation performance. Recently, the rapid increasing demand of having a knowledge-based economy and the globalization have triggered the higher education sector worldwide to experience momentous transformation; which thereafter led the universities to change from traditional universities to entrepreneurial universities. That is, to transform from the missions of only teaching and researching to the third mission represented in the university‟s entrepreneurial role for the socio-economic development. The main goals of the study are assessing the current situation of Palestinian universities by measuring to which degree universities apply TQM practices and adopt administrative and technical innovations, in addition to assessing the extent of entrepreneurship in universities. Then, the study is concerned with examining the effect of implementing TQM practices on fostering the transformation of traditional universities into entrepreneurial universities. Also, investigating whether innovation constitutes a moderator factor in promoting the transformation into entrepreneurial universities by adopting TQM practices. This is conducted by developing a conceptual model and empirically testing the relationships. XIII An analytical research method is employed in this study; where the survey strategy was used to collect the data. The study sample are the top managements of the 18 Palestinian universities; where 44 questionnaires were collected from 12 Palestinian universities. The collected data was analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique through SMART-PLS software. The main findings of the study are that the implementation level of TQM practices and innovation in Palestinian universities is at a high level, while the adoption of entrepreneurial practices is found to be at a moderate level. Also, the study concludes that the application of TQM practices significantly and positively contributes and affects the transformation to entrepreneurial universities. And the innovation does not play a moderating role in that relationship. By concentrating on evaluating the links between the study's variables in the higher education sector, the study added to the body of already existing knowledge. Practically speaking, it is seen as concrete proof of the degree to which TQM methods, innovation, and entrepreneurship are being implemented in Palestinian higher education. The study's conclusion urges decisionmakers in Palestinian universities to embrace TQM methods, such as information and analysis, and people management, in order to promote entrepreneurship in higher education.