Predicting innovative behaviors in students based on participation in exploratory communities and academic identity: Modeling

Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Department of Educational Sciences/Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology/University of Mohaghegh Ardabili/Ardabil/Iran

2 Husein Taqavi, Associate Prof., Dept. of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil,

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

10.22080/eps.2025.30284.2378

Abstract

Objective: Students, as creative forces, play an important role in the progress of society. This research examines the impact of exploratory communities on students' academic identity and innovation, contributing to the improvement of educational policies.
Methodology: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 2,170 students at Urmia Mohaghegh University, with 404 individuals selected randomly. Data were collected through academic identity and innovative behavior questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS software.
Findings: The results of structural equation modeling showed that exploratory communities have a significant direct effect on academic identity (path coefficient 0.695, p<0.01) and innovative behaviors (path coefficient 0.306, p<0.01). Additionally, academic identity indirectly predicts innovative behaviors (path coefficient 0.238, p<0.05). In other words, exploratory communities have both direct and indirect (through academic identity) positive and significant effects on students’ innovative behaviors.
Conclusions and suggestions: The results showed that strengthening participation in exploratory communities in university environments can lead to the development of stronger academic identity and the promotion of students’ innovative behaviors. The main suggestion to managers, planners, and educational policymakers is to implement comprehensive programs for forming and supporting interdisciplinary exploratory communities in universities, in order to guide students toward creative activities and improve the overall quality of higher education.
Innovation and originality: This innovative approach, by integrating social learning and innovation theories, provides a practical framework for university environments that can assist policymakers in designing educational programs.

Keywords

Main Subjects


 

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