Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Educational Management, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahwaz, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The current research aimed to identify the macro-environmental factors affecting the absorptive capacity of postgraduate medical students, adopting a qualitative PESTEL approach at Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, during the academic years 2024-2025
Method: This study was applied in terms of its objective. The data collection methods involved a mixed-methods approach (quantitative: Structural Equation Modeling; qualitative: thematic analysis). Findings from the qualitative analysis of expert interviews were conducted based on the PESTEL model. The sample size for the qualitative phase included experts and specialists in the field of medical education at Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, selected through snowball sampling. The sample size in this phase was determined to be 10 individuals, and the selection process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. In the quantitative phase, the study population comprised 180 experts and specialists at Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, from whom 109 individuals were selected.
Results: Based on the conducted interviews and code analysis, it was determined that technological and social factors had the highest frequency and importance in the experts’ views regarding capacity determination. These findings suggest that Jundishapur University, to enhance its absorptive capacity in 2024-2025, primarily needs to modernize its technical infrastructure and align its admission programs with the local needs and social trends of the region. It is inferred that the impact of each factor on the absorptive capacity of postgraduate medical students at Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences is confirmed with 99% probability. Furthermore, according to the calculated path coefficients, the order of influence from greatest to least is: technological, social, environmental, legal, economic, and political.
Conclusion: The macro-environmental factors affecting the absorptive capacity of postgraduate medical students are political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal.
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