Structural Model in Creativity and Innovation Among Local Colleges in Region Xi: An Explanatory Sequential Design

This explanatory sequential mixed-method study aimed to determine the influence of academic freedom, organizational commitment, and work engagement on creativity and innovation among local college teachers in Region XI, Philippines. Quantitative data were collected from local college teachers using validated adapted survey questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered through purposively selected participants using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data. SEM results revealed that academic freedom and work engagement significantly influenced creativity and innovation, with organizational commitment acting as a mediator. The qualitative findings confirmed the total effect of academic freedom on creativity and innovation, the direct effect of academic freedom on organizational commitment, the total effect of work engagement on creativity and innovation, and the best fit model of creativity and innovation. Qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results, confirming high levels across all variables. Data integration revealed a connecting-confirmation, connecting-expansion, and connecting-diverging between the quantitative and qualitative phases.