Comprehensive quality assessment of Czech higher education institutions

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 138-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Nenadál
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Assessment Methodology ◽  
Pilot Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Assessment Approach

Purpose – The paper aims to sum up the principal and original set of information related to the special project covered by Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, which was oriented to quality assurance and assessment at Czech higher education institutions. It brings main results and lessons learned from comprehensive quality assessment methodology pilot testing. Design/methodology/approach – Brainstorming conferences, seminars, comparative analysis, interviews, design review and validation were used by the expert team to develop and to test the comprehensive quality assessment methodology. Findings – The EFQM Excellence Model is the most comprehensive tool for quality assurance and quality assessment. It is pragmatic and practical, but it is necessary to adapt this model for effective use at Czech higher education institutions as a set of assessment criteria. The comprehensive quality assessment approach does not only examine what universities and other higher schools have achieved in the past (through lagging indicators), but it also includes assessment of their potential for the future through the so-called leading indicators. Research limitations/implications – The pilot testing of designed methodology of comprehensive quality assessment was performed within 12 Czech higher education institutions, but the lessons learned have common validity for any Czech higher education institution. Originality/value – The proposed methodology of comprehensive quality assessment is a quite new approach from the point of Czech higher education institutions view. It offers new and efficient tool for next higher schools and universities development.

Quality assurance systems: enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Ferreira de Mello Silva ◽  
Eduardo Raupp de Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation In Higher Education

Purpose This study aims to examine the extant literature to analyze the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and innovation in the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study selected 63 articles through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and performed a descriptive and thematic synthesis-analysis on the sample. Findings The research identifies several perspectives discussed on QA systems covering experiences, criticisms and practice implications. The literature review shows there is no clear consensus on whether innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is fostered or hindered by QA processes. However, it seems that the likelihood of innovativeness and positive QA outcomes are directly linked to how these processes are managed in universities. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the university management concerns that emerge with QA issues as it is not yet clear to what extent innovation is actually promoted in scenarios where QA is applied. Hence, this literature review could be considered comprehensive but not exhaustive. Further studies are recommended to improve the understanding of how HEIs can both innovate and ensure quality at the same time. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advancing the opportunities and challenges that HEIs face due to QA system features.

Building quality culture in higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 331-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liselott Lycke ◽  
Ingrid Tano
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Culture ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Control Education ◽  
Functional Teams ◽  
And Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe an approach to build a quality culture within a higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on Action research and a Case study. Findings The authors show the result of the mapped processes of a higher education institution, Management planning and control, Education, Research and Support, and describe how the mapping was performed, working in cross-functional teams. Further on, they discuss the result of the pilot and the plan for implementation. Originality/value A process-oriented approach in higher education institutions, with its complexity, creates opportunities for successful quality assurance and control when having an integrated quality assurance system.

What matters for higher education success of private educational institutions? Senior students’ perceptions in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 616-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayaraman Krishnaswamy ◽  
Zarif Hossain ◽  
Mohan Kumar Kavigtha ◽  
Annamalai Nagaletchimee
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Private University ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Classroom ◽  
Social Governance ◽  
User Friendly

Purpose Within the higher education structure, students have the desire for both virtual and face-to-face learning and demand for diverse simulations from the higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to highlight the significance of higher education success (HES) for one of the top private universities in Malaysia. In the paper, a research model for HES has been proposed and tested within the management perspectives. This research model has five dimensions, namely, smart classroom, user-friendly technology, peers support, partnership and social governance, as potential determinants for HES. Design/methodology/approach A structured survey questionnaire using an extensive literature review was conducted from a No. 1 private university in Malaysia. The target population included students who have passed out under-graduate or post-graduate or are studying in their final trimester. The questionnaire was administered to 107 respondents using an interview method in order to have scientific and authentic data with minimal common method bias. The data collection process was taken over a one-month period during May 2018 and it ensured the rectification of missing data. The study utilized an inclusive criterion as those students who have complete knowledge about the university in terms of academic, administrative and technical matters. Findings Out of 107 survey respondents, 76 (71 percent) respondents were favorable for HES, which implies that the targeted education institution strives toward career development for students. The study reveals that the partnership of the institution has a positive influence on HES. Smart classroom and social governance are the other determinants which have a positive impact on HES. An excellent infrastructure facility together with formal and informal activities to cultivate knowledge sharing, trustworthiness, quality education and academic excellence of the institution makes it a healthy atmosphere for students to pursue their studies. However, user-friendly technology and peers support were not found to be significant. Practical implications The proposed research model is crucial for educationalists to design the course curriculum for higher education institutions. The significant results and scope discussed in the present study can be applied and customized to any higher education institution in the globe for long-term sustainability to orient students toward career development. Originality/value Since the present paper investigates the No. 1 private university, the current findings can be used as a guide for other private universities to enhance their course curriculum. The conceptualization of the research model includes new dimensions which highlight the latest development in HES. Emerging studies have claimed that HES depends on effective administration of the institution by the management and appropriate industry linkages, with the highest priority for student learning capabilities to exhibit their talents.

Discourses on quality and quality assurance in higher education from the perspective of global university rankings

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maruša Hauptman Komotar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
International Studies ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
World University Rankings ◽  
International Ranking ◽  
Global University

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how global university rankings interact with quality and quality assurance in higher education along the two lines of investigation, that is, from the perspective of their relationship with the concept of quality (assurance) and the development of quality assurance policies in higher education, with particular emphasis on accreditation as the prevalent quality assurance approach. Design/methodology/approach The paper firstly conceptualises quality and quality assurance in higher education and critically examines the methodological construction of the four selected world university rankings and their references to “quality”. On this basis, it answers the two “how” questions: How is the concept of quality (assurance) in higher education perceived by world university rankings and how do they interact with quality assurance and accreditation policies in higher education? Answers are provided through the analysis of different documentary sources, such as academic literature, glossaries, international studies, institutional strategies and other documents, with particular focus on official websites of international ranking systems and individual higher education institutions, media announcements, and so on. Findings The paper argues that given their quantitative orientation, it is quite problematic to perceive world university rankings as a means of assessing or assuring the institutional quality. Like (international) accreditations, they may foster vertical differentiation of higher education systems and institutions. Because of their predominant accountability purpose, they cannot encourage improvements in the quality of higher education institutions. Practical implications Research results are beneficial to different higher education stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, institutional leadership, academics and students), as they offer them a comprehensive view on rankings’ ability to assess, assure or improve the quality in higher education. Originality/value The existing research focuses principally either on interactions of global university rankings with the concept of quality or with processes of quality assurance in higher education. The comprehensive and detailed analysis of their relationship with both concepts thus adds value to the prevailing scholarly debates.

Modelling student satisfaction and motivation in the integrated educational environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Stukalina
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Student Motivation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Procedures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore some issues related to enhancing the quality of educational services provided by a university in the agenda of integrating quality assurance activities and strategic management procedures. Design/methodology/approach – Employing multiple regression analysis the author has examined some factors that are supposed to have an impact on student satisfaction and student motivation in the integrated educational environment. Findings – The results of the two-phase empirical research performed in two higher education institutions indicate that student satisfaction and student motivation can be modelled on a number of predictors, which are associated with several indicators related to various aspects of the integrated educational environment. Research limitations/implications – The sample in this study included two higher education institutions. Future study with a more diverse student population and the refined scale items is recommended to verify and generalize the findings. Practical implications – The research provides useful data for addressing some critical issues in the context of integrating quality assurance activities and strategic management procedures in a university. The results of the empirical study suggest that education managers might carry out regular assessment of their educational environment in the framework of performing strategic analysis, which is aimed at quality enhancement, in order to determine the most significant aspects and associated influences. This would allow them to focus their efforts, time and resources on the issues with the greatest potential for having an impact on the university’s operations, and which may be related to providing qualitative changes in the educational environment in the frame of implementing a number of competitive strategies. Originality/value – The relevant literature analysis has allowed the author to explore the research topic from a new (holistic) perspective, and to consider both student satisfaction and student motivation in the integrated educational environment, which was viewed as a complicated multi-level system. In this respect, being related to approaches, ideas and findings in the existing literature, the paper presents an attempt to develop these further in terms of adding value to previous research. The obtained information can be of interest to managers working in the area of higher education.

Ascribing meaning to quality cultures in the Portuguese context

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélia Veiga ◽  
Maria João Rosa ◽  
Sónia Cardoso ◽  
Alberto Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Culture ◽  
Higher Education Quality ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education ◽  
Education Quality Assurance ◽  
Promax Rotation

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to discuss Portuguese academics’ views on quality assessment and the elements that are important for a better understanding of what ascribes meaning to “quality cultures” in Portuguese higher education. Design/methodology/approach – The discussion was based on the results of a survey run in 2010 among Portuguese academics on quality assessment objectives and purposes. Descriptive statistics was used to investigate academics’ support to what quality assessment was supposed to guarantee (its purposes) and which should be its objectives. Furthermore, a factorial analysis using Promax rotation (oblique) was performed to investigate if the different purposes could be grouped according to the different areas they address in terms of quality assessment, helping to uncover a rationale that could explain the answers obtained. Theoretically, the results have been analysed in the light of the “quality culture” concept. Findings – Perceptions of Portuguese academics that support internal processes of quality assurance correspond either to the responsive quality culture or the regenerative quality culture. The viable form of ideal cultures is analytically limited, and the perceptions gathered encourage “quality cultures” biased by stronger group control. Originality/value – The paper offers new insights into academics’ perceptions on quality assessment, a theme that so far has been relatively absent from higher education quality assurance studies. Furthermore, the results obtained could be useful to policymakers and quality assurance agencies when setting up evaluation and accreditation systems capable of balancing improvement associated with the group dimension and accountability coupled with the grid dimension.

Quality expectations in Thai higher education institutions: multiple stakeholder perspectives

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukdashine Sandmaung ◽  
Do Ba Khang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Multiple Stakeholder ◽  
Quality In Higher Education ◽  
Managerial Staff

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the quality indicators that are suitable for assuring quality in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Thailand, from the perspectives of students, teaching staff, managerial staff and employers. These quality expectations are then to be compared with the quality indicators of the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC) in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachA list of quality expectations was first established based on a review of the literature and the OHEC quality indicators, then finalized with input from interviews with experts and a pilot survey. Over 2,000 questionnaires were then delivered to stakeholders. Statistical analyses of differences and factors were conducted and compared with OHEC's official list of quality indicators.FindingsIn terms of relative perceived importance, while the rank correlations among quality expectations of different stakeholder groups were generally high, a correlation between students and teaching/managerial staff was the lowest. The most important expectations of stakeholders are found missing from the OHEC list, and several indicators used by OHEC were among the lowest ranked items. Factor analysis also suggested a different structure for categorizing the quality indicators compared to what is being mandated by OHEC.Practical implicationsThe stakeholders' perspectives and their priorities observed in this study could serve as initial empirical inputs for OHEC and HEIs in developing or reviewing quality assurance systems.Originality/valueThe paper shows that assessing and comparing similarities and differences among multiple stakeholder perspectives can present a more comprehensive and accurate understanding for the development of quality assurance indicators suitable for Thai HEIs.

scholarly journals Factual Model of Internal Quality Assurance System of Private Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Andi Mursidi ◽  
Tri Joko Raharjo ◽  
Sugiyo Sugiyo ◽  
Arief Yulianto
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Quality Assurance System ◽  
Assurance System ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
Private Higher Education Institutions

Quality has increasingly become an important success determiner for higher education institutions. The education quality highly depends on the quality of all management systems run by the higher education institutions. This research aims at explaining the factual model and identifying the main factors influencing the implementation and development of quality assurance system of private higher education institutions in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Research and Development (R&D) method was used as the research methodology to develop the model. Data collection processes start by interviewing the stakeholders of internal quality assurance system at higher education institutions and then distributing questionnaires related to the implementation of internal quality assurance system at each higher education institution. The collected data was then analyzed and synthesized into the factual model. The obtained factual model consisted of three steps: planning, implementing, and evaluating the internal quality assurance. From this factual model, it is revealed that the implementation of internal quality assurance system of private higher education institutions in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia has not completely become a part of higher education institution accountability orienting on the higher education quality assurance, but more on the temporary purposes, such as higher education institution accreditation purposes.

scholarly journals Integration of EFQM Excellence Model in RTU Development Strategy: Pilot Project Review

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturs Zeps ◽  
Juris Iljins ◽  
Leonids Ribickis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Efqm Model ◽  
Process Elements

Research described in this article provides analysis of potential improvements gained to management process of higher education institutions and strategic planning by applying EFQM model and European Standarts and Guidelines (ESG). This research indicates the most crucial process elements of strategic planning in higher education institutions. Authors have analyzed pilot project where the EFQM excellence model and ESG are applied to the process of the strategic planning. Based on Riga Technical University’s pilot project this article describes the role of EQFM excellence model and its impact on reaching the strategic targets set by the higher education institution. Authors have analysed and within focus groups explored the EFQM excellence model and ESG, identifing most critical aspects and facotrs of application process to strategic planning and quality assurance. Based on lessons learned authors have suggested a set of activities Riga Technical University should introduce to improve the strategic planning, structure of internal processes and quality management.

Analyzing the factors that can limit the acceptability to introduce new specializations in higher education institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasim Abbas ◽  
Munir Ahmed ◽  
Rizwan Khalid ◽  
Tehreem Yasmeen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education System ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Education System

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive view of barriers that restrict the adoption of new specializations and courses in the higher education institutions of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative methods were used to get the responses from the respondents of different institution of target areas. Results were further analyzed with the help of statistical tools. In total, 203 respondents were approached to fill the carefully designed questionnaire. Findings Results of the study clearly show four major factors, including internal barrier, external barrier, cultural barrier and leadership barrier, that are restricting the introduction and adoption of new specialization courses in higher education institutes of Southern Punjab. Suggestions at the end are made to address the restrictions. Research limitations/implications The current study states only six higher education institution of Southern Punjab, which is a kind of limitation itself. This study is conducted by taking into account the needs and trends of the businesses and markets; student perspective is not taken about the situation in this study, which is an another limitation of the study. To get more accurate and validated results, the higher education institutions located in other areas of Pakistan could be studied, which was not done in this study because of time and resource limitations. Practical implications This study may prove worthy to bring a positive and practical shift in the Pakistani higher education system. This study may also prove beneficial to show the actual picture of the situation to national leaders, academician and policy maker so that things are taken seriously to actually align the Pakistani higher education system with the emerging market demands and trends. Suggestions made in this study may provide comprehensive guidelines to the academic strategists to uplift the higher education institutions of Pakistan up to the international standards and requirements, so the Pakistani higher education institutions can get a respectful place in the international academic rankings. Originality/value The paper highlights the restrictions and helps the institutions to introduce new specialization courses.

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