The Role of Administrative Planning and Control in Enhancing Job Performance: Decision-Making Quality as a Mediating Variable (An Applied Study on Gharyan University)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role of administrative planning and control in enhancing job performance at Gharyan University, with decision-making quality serving as a mediating variable. To achieve this objective, the researcher adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire based on the Likert scale for data collection. The study sample consisted of 60 employees from various administrative departments at Gharyan University. Data analysis was conducted using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (Smart-PLS) technique. The findings of the study revealed complex relationships between the variables; while administrative planning demonstrated a significant positive impact on decision-making quality, it surprisingly showed a negative direct effect on performance enhancement within the specific context of the study. Furthermore, the results indicated that administrative control exerts a negative influence on both decision-making quality and performance enhancement. Additionally, decision-making quality was found to have a negative impact on performance improvement. These results suggest that the traditional mechanisms of planning and control at the university might be facing implementation challenges or bureaucratic hurdles that hinder their effectiveness in driving performance. The study concludes with several recommendations, most notably the need to restructure planning and control processes to be more flexible and supportive of high-quality decision-making that aligns with the strategic goals of the university. It also emphasizes the importance of training administrative staff to improve their performance and responsiveness to modern management systems to ensure sustainable institutional development.