Examining the mediating role of strategic thinking on organizational performance: A quantitative analysis

Currently, private universities are making significant efforts to keep up with changing market demands and societal expectations, particularly in an environment that is rapidly evolving such as Baghdad, Iraq. In order to maintain high standards and achieve excellence, they must continuously seek out the most effective practices and strategies for success. Strategic management has been demonstrated to be an efficient tool for enhancing institutional performance, and the university's organizational culture, which is comprised of traditional institutional elements, is recognized as a significant factor in how organizations operate. Through the utilization of strategic thinking as a mediator, this research aims to evaluate and clarify how organizational culture impacts institutional excellence. A simple random sample was employed to gather information from individuals in managerial positions across multiple sections. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to explain the variables under examination. The outcomes and analyses reveal a high level of relative proportions for the variables under investigation and indicate an indirect relationship between the independent and dependent variables. This research recommends several important suggestions and proposes additional research avenues for further investigation