Quality Management In Higher Education Research Articles

Perceptions about accreditation and quality management in Higher Education. Development of a Spanish-language questionnaire with a sample of academics from a private university

Quality improvement policies occupy a central place in higher education and represent important requirements for educational institutions in a globalized economy, and quality-related processes legitimacy is enhanced by the participation of academic community. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate a Spanish-language scale intended to assess perceptions about the accreditation process and the quality management in Higher Education Institutions. Based on prior findings, and using a one-time, cross-sectional design, 339 academics across four Chilean major academic cities were surveyed. Using structural equation modeling, two solutions with adequate fit indices were found: a four-factor solution comprised of Institutional relevance of accreditation, Objectivity of accreditation evaluation, Internal Quality Unit relevance for accreditation, Value of accreditation to educational system, as main constructs, and a six-factors solution, which included two additional constructs, i.e., Continuous Quality Management value and Students’ participation value.The questionnaire developed in our research allows higher education institutions to objectively assess and quantify the benefits of quality management and accreditation. Its results are particularly pertinent for countries with Spanish as an official language, taking into account the importance of internationalization of higher education.

A Study on the Method for Quality Management of Higher Education in the Post Corona

A Study on the Method for Quality Management of Higher Education in the Post Corona

Obstacles of Implementing Total Quality Management in Higher Education Institutions: Academic Staff’ perspective

Abstract Total quality management (TQM) in higher education is a new management philosophy that leads universities based on the needs of students and the surrounding community. Aim: To identify obstacles of implementing TQM in higher education institutions from academic staff perspective. Design: A descriptive explorative research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted in Nursing, Engineering, Art and commerce Faculties at South Valley University (SVU). Subjects: A convenience sample of (160) academic staff was included. Tools: Self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: It showed that the high mean score of TQM application obstacles was related to financial resources, while low mean score was related to top management (20.44±3.753m 17.54± 4.713) respectively. There were statistically significant differences between TQM application obstacles and personal characteristics of participants and between obstacles and application of TQM. Conclusion: The application of TQM in higher education institutions will only be accomplished by providing of supportive infrastructure for change and development of qualified human resources, material, technical infrastructures and update resources for education and learning and all educational institutions and its components should have a genuine desire to work and implement the standards that can represent a permanent plan. Recommendations: Policy maker at SVU must use strategic long term planning and effective policy for services quality; provide training courses and workshops in the field of TQM application.

Analysis of Psychometric Properties of the Quality and Satisfaction Questionnaire Focused on Sustainability in Higher Education

The aim of this research was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the quality of education, from a sustainability perspective, in higher education institutions of Naples (Italy), and determine whether differences exist between the groups (families, teachers and, students) with respect to their level of satisfaction concerning that quality, since it is important that education policies promote that assessment from an economic, social, environmental, and organisational dimension. The questionnaire was validated using a quantitative, quasi experimental, cross sectional method. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted on a sample of n = 1091 subjects to study the differences between the groups and their level of satisfaction. The results show a good reliability and validity. In this MANOVA, significant differences and large effect sizes were found. Families and teachers consider that quality management in higher education is adequate. The three groups are very satisfied with teaching management, and the teachers’ group has the higher level of satisfaction with teaching planning. It is concluded that this validated questionnaire provides information on the opinions about the quality of education from a sustainability perspective and that the self-assessment of those responsible for teaching is essential to achieve continuous improvement.

The relationship between soft and hard quality management practices, innovation and organizational performance in higher education

PurposeThis study aims to empirically investigate the effects of both soft and hard quality management (QM) on innovation and organizational performance. It also examines the mediating role of hard QM, administrative innovation and technical innovation on the relationship between soft QM and organizational performance in higher education (HE).Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this study is quantitative. The data used to test the hypotheses were obtained through online questionnaire sent to the academic staff of public universities in Naples (Italy). The hypothesized relationships are tested with data collected from 356 respondents by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results show that quality practices improve innovation and organizational performance, while innovation positively impacts organizational performance. The findings also indicate that soft QM affects organizational performance directly and indirectly through hard QM. Hard QM and innovation show a partial sequential mediating effect on soft QM-performance relationshipPractical implicationsIn order to implement quality management properly in HE, directors need to recognize the different roles that soft and hard QM can have on innovation and organizational performance. It is important that higher education institutions (HEIs) allocate resources to establish both types of QM practices to achieve the effectiveness of the whole QM system.Originality/valueDespite the existence of numerous studies on the relationship between QM, innovation and organizational performance in manufacturing and services, studies conducted in higher education are still few. This is one of the earliest studies that adopt the multidimensional approach of QM in HE which could help directors understand the interdependencies and different roles of soft and hard quality practices.

Technological Opportunities for the Digitization of the Career Development Processes

The paper examines the issues of career development of students in the context of quality management of higher education. The better realization of graduating students is an important strategic goal for each higher school and its achievement ensures a better connection of education to the labor market. The better career orientation of the students during their studies makes the higher education institution more desirable by the candidate students and increases the funding process. A very challenging task in this context is the development of relevant technological solutions to be maximally digitized, which enables career development processes for students in higher education institutions. The study justifies this necessity by presenting and analyzing data related to the changes in the information channels and access to the students, as well as the cycle of their realization. The main contributions of the article are related to elucidating the causal relationship between career development and the quality of education, as well as the development of a common conceptual model for the digitization of career development. Finally, summaries are made and conclusions are drawn.

Higher education quality management: What is “quality” and what is “higher education”?

The paper studies the problem of assessing the quality of higher education in the Russian Federation. The problem is rooted in the ambiguous understanding of the concept of quality and the variability of the meaning of higher education, primarily, its arguable connection with obtaining a specific professional education. The methodology relies on the principles of modern economic theory and the results of social psychology and assessment theory, thereby demonstrating a cross-disciplinary character. Based on the provisions and approaches mentioned above, we find that the concept of quality has at least four possible interpretations, and the concept of higher education has three of them, while the current regulatory documents do not fully cover them. Proceeding from the fact that higher education services are credence goods for students, the research proves that students cannot act as the subject of quality assessment. The analysis performed in the paper demonstrates the plethora of options for assessing the quality of higher education, the number of which attains at least 396. The study formulates concrete proposals for modernization of the existing system of higher education quality assessment in Russia.

Gestión de la calidad en instituciones de educación superior.

La gestión de la calidad en educación superior es una estrategia competitiva que garantiza que las universidades entreguen altos estándares de calidad y satisfacción a la sociedad. La investigación se realiza con la finalidad de caracterizar la gestión de la calidad en una institución de educación superior para el mejoramiento continuo de sus estándares de calidad y excelencia. Se aplicó una encuesta a docentes y estudiantes para determinar el nivel de conocimientos que poseen sobre los mecanismos que utiliza la institución para gestionar la calidad de sus procesos y el nivel de involucramiento. Se diseñó un modelo para la gestión de la calidad de los procesos tomando como base de partida la Trilogía de Juran sobre gestión de la calidad.

Quality management in higher education: The individual work of students’ quality management

The importance of this article is dictated by the necessity to adopt the Bologna standard of higher education including the module system into the frame of the Ukrainian university network. The author gives a brief review of the development of the quality concept and approaches, which have been made to integrate it into higher education management. The article sets out the new scheme of individual work of student management seen as part of the general management process.

The impact of total quality management in higher education: Implementation and challenges

The impact of total quality management in higher education: Implementation and challenges

Quality management of higher education: Innovation approach from perspectives of institutionalism. An exploratory literature review

External pressures, like political, economic and technological factors, as well as competition at labour and education markets have challenged higher education institutions to reconsider their orga...

"Бережливое производство" в образовании

Lean technologies are widely used in various industries. Currently, the development of quality management of higher education is facing new challenges, the key of which is to ensure competitiveness and attractiveness for potential students, employers and research customers. In the context of the «struggle» for financing, it is necessary to find internal reserves for development, which is the main result of reducing losses. The application of lean manufacturing methods in education is possible taking into account the adaptation of tools and their consistent implementation, taking into account scientific and practical experience. Activities to optimize the educational process should be carried out taking into account the views of interested parties, such as: teachers, students and employers. The article discusses the application of the principles of lean method and 5S in higher education. The main difficulties in implementation are reflected.

Effect of positive psychological capital on service quality management in higher education

Effect of positive psychological capital on service quality management in higher education

До питання оптимізації топологічно спостережуваних когнітивних карт зі збереженням їх стійкості

The article considers the issue of optimizing the cognitive map of a complex system in compliance with the requirements for its full topological observability and stability, which allows cognitive modeling and analysis of the interaction of all vertices-variables and, in case of confirmation of complete controllability, -which of these variables. The information technology of analysis and optimization of topological observability of multiconnected geographic information systems created earlier by the authors is characterized. According to the system of rules it transforms the information or mathematical model of the system into the formalization of the system model in the form of a dichromatic graph with vertices-variables and vertices-dependences rule of topological observability analysis. It is suggested how any cognitive map can be transformed into such a dichromatic graph, which allows to extend the previous developments for this type of system models, i.e. to analyze and optimize the level of topological observability of information systems models in the form of a cognitive map. Special attention is paid to the stability of cognitive maps. A new method for the synthesis of fully topologically observable stable cognitive maps of the nth order of a certain type on the basis of a basic fully topologically observable stable cognitive map of a smaller order, constructed by experts, is proposed. The paper demonstrates the work of the method based on the basic second-order cognitive map. The basic cognitive map is transformed into a stable higher-order cognitive model by adding one new vertex incident to one of the vertices of this basic cognitive map. Structurally, the adjacency matrix of the cognitive map includes a contiguity matrix of the lower order cognitive map, to which is added another row and a column with one non-zero element and zeros in all other elements of this row. It is proved, using Vieta’s theorem and the rule of calculating the determinant of the matrix through algebraic additions that the cognitive maps of the nth order synthesized in this way will be both completely topologically observable and stable. An example of application of the created method to the analysis and optimization of the cognitive map, which takes into account the main components of the educational and professional program of a higher education institution, is given. It is shown that only such an educational process will be fully topologically observable, stable, which will provide intermediate final certification, similar to "Step-1" or "Step-2" for medical specialties. Such process will be more managed in the case of proving complete controllability, it allow to synthesize the law of quality management of higher education. It is noted that the obtained conclusions can be extended to multi-module or multi-semester disciplines (intermediate colloquia, etc. are required) and practice (intermediate tests).

Quality management of higher education in the context of digitalization

This paper discusses the main scientific results of the study associated with the introduction of a new understanding of higher education quality management in pedagogical science related to the digitalization of the educational process at the university. The point is that when a student interacts with other subjects of the educational process, conditions are provided in which the student can realize his or her importance as a subject of the educational process, as a person who models the process of knowing his or her future professional activity, as a future member of the professional community. This allows the student to see the paths of his or her development, to identify key areas in self-organization of activities, in self-development of individual characteristics and personality traits. The implementation of the manage-help scheme, coming to replace the influencing scheme, ensures the participation of the student in building an individual learning path, in the choice of customized forms, methods and technologies of professional training in accordance with individual capabilities, needs and abilities. The research result is the development and scientific justification of the digital quality management system of higher education in the interactive intellectual environment developed by the author. The developed system allows the student to move away from the existing templates and stamps of professional activity, expands his or her opportunities in development (and self-development) and creativity at university.

Twenty years of research on total quality management in Higher Education: A systematic literature review

AbstractFaced with intensified global education competition, universities and other Higher Education institutions are implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) to keep rivals at bay. Meanwhile, research interest in TQM in Higher Education is growing. This paper reviews the achievements and limitations of extant research on TQM in Higher Education, and discusses directions for future research. The paper finds that extant research focuses on (1) teaching and learning but neglects research and industry engagement; (2) an isolated factor (e.g., teacher) but neglects other factors (e.g., facilities); (3) the Higher Education sector in advanced countries but neglects the Higher Education sector in developing countries; and (4) TQM as a phenomenon but neglects theory development and integration. Future research needs to address these limitations, adopt a more holistic perspective, and take a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to TQM in the Higher Education sector.

Організаційно-методологічне забезпечення управління якістю вищої освіти

Організаційно-методологічне забезпечення управління якістю вищої освіти

Digital Quality Management in Higher Education

The study first examines the concept of digital quality management in higher education, and is aimed at featuring the theoretical justification and practical implementation of digital quality management of education at the university level. A fundamental difference between digital quality management and traditional quality management is shown. The authors present and describe the features and advantages of the developed technology of interactive intellectual environment, which is the basis of digital management. The functionality of quality management in higher education is revealed on the basis of a participative synergistic approach. The practical significance of the study lies in the introduction of an interactive intellectual environment into the higher education system, which enables the effective digital management of the quality of education. The main results comprise building an individual learning trajectory, depending on the diagnosed abilities and intelligence of each student, as well as conditioning students’ research competencies as a means of improving the quality of higher education. Further development of this topic is seen in the study of the cultural aspects of interaction in the educational process, implemented in digital management.

Factors Influencing Student Satisfaction in Higher Education. The Case of a Georgian State University

With the increasing importance, higher education is considered as a major asset for any nation’s socio-economic and technological development. The quality of education offered by the higher education institutions directly impacts country’s performance. That is why, number of scientific researches and public reports and debates agrees on the importance of the quality management in higher education. There is also an important debate on a link between the service quality and students’ satisfaction. On the one hand, there is a logical dependence of the degree of satisfaction to the perceived quality. On the other hand, number of studies have also identified a link between students’ satisfaction and their loyalty. This study looks at the determinants of student satisfaction in Georgian Higher Education Institutions. With the objective to detect the main components of service quality influencing students’ satisfaction, the article uses HEdPERF as a measuring instrument of higher education service quality. Data is collected from 793 students of one of the largest universities of the country. An exploratory factor analysis six factors for the further examination. After scale development, a multiple regression analysis is used to test the research hypothesis. The results of the study show that the administrative factors are the most sensitive and have a positive influence on the students’ satisfaction. Also, there is a positive relation between academic programs and student’s satisfaction. The disproportionate attitude is observed between the importance of academic factors and satisfaction.

Quality Management in Higher Education; Challenges of Private Universities in Albania

Higher education is considered as one of the main socio-economic development factors of the society. Quality assurance in higher education shall be one of the main priorities of the government and civil society. Expectations for a better performance in the quality of teaching, scientific research and other similar activities, obliges the university managers and administrators to review their strategy. For this reason, the demand for quality in higher education is increasing. After assessing the current state of the private educational institutions in Albania in terms of quality and of identifying the existing issues, there will be provided some recommendations and suggestions for improvement in relation to the future challenges. For this reason, in the theoretical framework of references from literature assessment, a specific total quality management framework (TQM) will be developed.