Explaining the Aspects of Resistance Economy Based on Knowledge-based Economy in University of Medical Sciences: The Viewpoints of Managers and Faculty Members

Background & Objectives: Knowledge-based economy is one of the major parts of the resistance economy and is recognized as the essentials of the information technology age. As one of the most important educational units and the custodian of community health, universities of medical sciences play a pivotal role in the success of resistance economy based on the knowledge-based economy. Among the employees of a university, the managers and faculty members play an important role in this regard. This study aimed to explain the dimensions of the resistance economy based on the knowledge-based economy in universities of medical sciences. Materials and Methods: This qualitative research had a purposeful sampling method. Data were collected via library and field research. In the library method, the relevant specialized scientific texts and resources were exploited, whereas in the fieldwork, the researcher interviewed 24 faculty members. The interviews continued until saturation, and after being recorded, they were transcribed in Word software, coded, classified, and encoded by Microsoft OneNote. After that, the interviews were analyzed. It is notable that ethical considerations were observed during the research process. In the field method, the texts and books were evaluated and information searched in scientific and specialized websites. In addition, relevant articles recently published in valid international journals were translated, and primary data with the topic of translation were collected. In the field research and after coordination with faculty members and main elites with a history of article or innovation production or a management background, the opinions of the interviewees were asked about some questions in a semi-structured manner. In addition, three-stage coding, open coding, axial coding, and selective coding were applied in the research. To perform open coding, the main sentences were recorded as codes, followed by classifying the similar codes. In axial coding, the classes were related to their subclasses by comparing the primary classes of open coding and revolving the ones that resembled around the common axis. In selective coding, the integration and refining process of the categories was performed to form and present the model, and the dimensions were extracted and explained. Results: From the perspective of the faculty members and key experts, resistance economy based on knowledge-based economy in universities of medical sciences could be explained in dimensions of information and communications technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in medical sciences, human resources and knowledge-based team, administrative and structural system, resources of equipment and abilities, policy and socio-environmental impacts. Each of these dimensions also included sub-groups and special themes. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it could be stated that moving towards the knowledge-based economy is one of the requirements of the country on the path to economic development, which involves dimensions such as information and communications technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, specialized knowledge-generating team, strategic planning and policy-making, formulating and ensuring the legal framework and legal system, supplying and developing electronic infrastructures, and paying attention to capabilities and resources of facilities.