Modelling critical success factors for a national qualifications framework: a case study on Mauritius

Abstract

This study aims at determining the critical success factors (CSFs) of a national qualifications framework (NQF) and to subsequently use the identified CSFs to develop a conceptual framework that could be ultimately used as a tool to evaluate NQFs by NQF implementers and policy makers. With a view to undermine the CSFs of an NQF, data were collected using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study was conducted in the TVET sector in Mauritius. Content analysis, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data and CSFs were derived. Based on derived CSFs, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 209 respondents to collect quantitative data. Factor analysis was then applied so as to identify the critical success factors. A conceptual model was then proposed as a tool that could be used to measure the success of an NQF. The limitations of the study are its exclusive application in the Mauritian context and only in the TVET sector. It remains tentative since it rests on narrow empirical evidence. The tool has to be tested with other NQFs so as to establish its suitability which leaves room for further research.