Organizational Innovation as a Catalyst for Institutional Excellence in Higher Education: An Applied Study at the University of Ha’il

Abstract

In alignments with the strategic transformation of higher education, this study investigates the requirements of organizational innovation as a strategic approach to achieving institutional excellence in higher education, focusing on cognitive, administrative, and technical dimensions. Using a descriptive-analytical method, data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 350 faculty and staff members at the University of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.  Results indicated that while technical and administrative requirements were relatively well-established, cognitive requirements remained at a moderate level, showing a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical innovation culture. Regression analysis confirmed that organizational innovation explains 84.6% of the variance in institutional excellence, with cognitive factors being the most significant predictor. The study concludes that sustainable excellence necessitates an integrated framework, recommending targeted capacity-building programs to bridge the cognitive-applied gap alongside agile management and advanced digital infrastructure  Keywords: Organizational Innovation, Institutional Excellence, Higher Education, University of Ha’il.