Information and knowledge management in higher education institutions: the Polish case

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1209-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Deja
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Information Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Adopted Model ◽  
Information And Knowledge Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of information and knowledge management (IKM) in higher education institutions. The research aims to determine the way in which the knowledge resources of a higher education institution are managed. The author intends to define how the information system is shaped and how information and knowledge are used in the reporting processes and for decision-making efficiency. Design/methodology/approach In total, 38 university administration employees from six higher education institutions in Poland participated in the study. Information barriers and benefits resulting from the implementation of the central reporting system “POL-on” were identified by using the sense-making technique. The purpose of the interviews was to determine the procedural and behavioural conditions of the reporting and decision-making processes in higher education institutions in Poland. Findings This paper suggests four characteristics of IKM in higher education institutions. A link between the information culture of the institution, its size and structure as well as the adopted model of IKM is demonstrated. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a framework for studying the IKM in higher education institutions from the perspective of information culture. Higher education institutions have developed different styles of striving for efficiency regarding decision making and reporting in administration. The IM and KM are now proved to be an integrated process in administrative activities of higher education institutions.

Rapid, centralised decision-making in a higher education emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigid Freeman ◽  
Peodair Leihy ◽  
Ian Teo ◽  
Dong Kwang Kim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Institutional Policy ◽  
Policy Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
On Line ◽  
Policy Problems ◽  
Policy Shifts

Purpose This study aims to explain the primacy that rapid, centralised decision-making gained in higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on Australian universities. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on discussions regarding policy problems of an international, purpose-convened on-line policy network involving over 100 registrations from multiple countries. It analyses emerging institutional policy governance texts and documents shared between network participants, applies policy science literature regarding traditional institutional policy-making routines and rapid decision-making, and references media reportage from 2020. The paper traces how higher education institutions rapidly adjusted to pandemic conditions and largely on-line operations. Findings The study finds that higher education institutions responded to the COVID-19 crisis by operationalising emergency management plans and introducing rapid, centralised decision-making to transition to remote modes of operation, learning and research under state-imposed emergency conditions. It highlights the need to ensure robust governance models recognising the ascendance of emergency decision-making and small-p policies in such circumstances, notwithstanding longstanding traditions of extended collegial policy-making routines for big-P (institutional) Policy. The pandemic highlighted practice and policy problems subject to rapid reform and forced institutions to clarify the relationship between emergency planning and decision-making, quality and institutional policy. Practical implications In covering a range of institutional responses, the study advances the possibility of institutions planning better for unexpected, punctuated policy shifts during an emergency through the incorporation of rapid decision-making in traditionally collegial environments. At the same time, the paper cautions against the normalisation of such processes. The study also highlights key practices and policies that require urgent reconsideration in an emergency. The study is designed as a self-contained and freestanding narrative to inform responses to future emergencies by roundly addressing the particularities of the 2020 phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as it affected higher education. Originality/value There is only limited research on policy-making in higher education institutions. This research offers an original contribution on institutional policy-making during a prolonged emergency that deeply changed higher education institution’s governance, operations and outlook. Particularly significant is the synthesis of experiences from a wide range of sector personnel, documenting punctuated policy shifts in policy governance (meta-policy), institutional policy-making routines and quality assurance actions under great pressure. This paper is substantially developed from a paper given at the Association for Tertiary Education Management Institutional Policy Seminar, 26th October 2020.

Decision-making system for higher education university selection: comparison of priorities pre- and post-COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnadas Nanath ◽  
Ali Sajjad ◽  
Supriya Kaitheri
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Selection ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

PurposeUniversity selection in higher education is a complex task for aspirants from a decision-making perspective. This study first aims to understand the essential parameters that affect potential students' choice of higher education institutions. It then aims to explore how these parameters or priorities have changed given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning about the differences in priorities for university selection pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic might help higher education institutions focus on relevant parameters in the post-pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a mixed-method approach, with primary and secondary data (university parameters from the website and LinkedIn Insights). We developed a university selector system by scraping LinkedIn education data of various universities and their alumni records. The final decision-making tool was hosted on the web to collect potential students' responses (primary data). Response data were analyzed via a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model. Portal-based data collection was conducted twice to understand the differences in university selection priorities pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. A one-way MANOVA was performed to find the differences in priorities related to the university decision-making process pre- and post-COVID-19.FindingsThis study considered eight parameters of the university selection process. MANOVA demonstrated a significant change in decision-making priorities of potential students between the pre- and post-COVID-19 phases. Four out of eight parameters showed significant differences in ranking and priority. Respondents made significant changes in their selection criteria on four parameters: cost (went high), ranking (went low), presence of e-learning mode (went high) and student life (went low).Originality/valueThe current COVID-19 pandemic poses many uncertainties for educational institutions in terms of mode of delivery, student experience, campus life and others. The study sheds light on the differences in priorities resulting from the pandemic. It attempts to show how social priorities change over time and influence the choices students make.

Factors influencing innovation performance in higher education institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Asaa Asiedu ◽  
Hod Anyigba ◽  
Kwame Simpe Ofori ◽  
George Oppong Appiagyei Ampong ◽  
John Agyekum Addae
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Management Capabilities ◽  
Management Capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership, knowledge management capabilities, organizational learning and innovation performance in the context of higher education institutions. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey research design, data was collected from 219 respondents comprising faculty and administrative staff from two public and five private universities in Ghana. The data were analysed by using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling with the use of Smart PLS software. Findings The results revealed that transformational leadership significantly predicts knowledge management capabilities and organizational learning and also has a positive effect on innovation performance. Originality/value Although some studies have covered the theoretical and empirical analyses of links between transformational leadership, innovation performance and some knowledge management capabilities, this study examines the direct links between transformational leadership and knowledge management capabilities, on one hand, and transformational leadership and organizational learning on the other, as well as their overall effect on innovation performance, which has been less discussed in literature, particularly in the tertiary educational sector and in the Ghanaian context.

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.

scholarly journals PROJECT AS AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR CHANGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Linda Daniela ◽  
Gunta Kraģe
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
Study Process

<p>The article analyzes project as a method of innovative solution in higher education which may result in introducing gradual changes in the institutions of higher education. There is a universal opinion that universities are conservative institutions where changes are slow or they are not at all. Nowadays the emphasis of action changes and higher education institutions (hereafter in the text HEI) look for cooperation possibilities with the employers and the possible applicants; they try to get closer to the society by participating in social and economic changes that take place in the society and participate in developing the education policy and decision making. Implementation of projects in the higher education institution which involve the whole staff promotes the increase of the staff’s competence and provide innovative solutions in the study process, develop a closer link among the project partners, state, municipality and non-governmental sector.</p>

scholarly journals Knowledge management practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balakrishnan V Nair ◽  
Chandramalar Munusami
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
General View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teaching And Learning Environment ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate KM practices that may be in place in the higher education institutions (HEIs) and whether the KM practices are made known to the employees for improving the teaching and learning environment provided at the Malaysian higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a personal administrated method made available to private higher education institutions academic members in five states with 30 or more employees. A total of 1,100 survey questionnaires were handed out, out of which 273 were collected and were usable (24.8 per cent response rate). The sample was checked for response and non-response bias. Results were tested using SPSS application and questionnaire tools.FindingsIt was essential to establish the knowledge management (KM) capacity in key areas such as the ability to recognise experts within the institution, leadership’s innovation, knowledge sharing and knowledge acquiring work culture, and technology usage. KM tools and techniques would help the institutions to meet their competitive goals; therefore, it is vital for HEIs to create KM awareness among the employees.Research limitations/implicationsSimilar to most studies, it is anticipated that the participants’ awareness of KM practices at their HEIs is very high. The samples were collected to evaluate the general view of KM awareness and how participants perceived KM practices. The total samples received for this study were expected; however, they were sufficient to study the impact.Practical implicationsThis paper provides support for the importance of KM practices and employees awareness at HEIs to enhance innovation and performance teaching and learning environment.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first papers to find empirical support for the role of KM practices at HEIs. Further, the positioning of KM practices as a competitive tool can be considered as an influential factor to competitive advantage.

Knowledge Management Strategies for Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-127
Author(s):  
Banu Çalış Uslu ◽  
Buket Doğan ◽  
Kazım Yıldız ◽  
Anil Bas ◽  
Önder Demir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Management System ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Knowledge Management System ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Knowledge Management Processes

With digital transformation and progress in science, developing process capabilities with limited resources has gained immense importance for higher education institutions. To provide the highest quality education services and manage the information and knowledge management processes, appropriate strategies, and related key performance management factors must be defined efficiently. In the literature, numerous models and tools have been proposed to measure knowledge management capabilities (Mohapatra et al., 2016; Imran et al., 2017; Dayan et al., 2017; Trivella et al., 2015). This chapter aims to develop a better understanding of the relationship between knowledge management processes and propose an assessment model of knowledge management system for higher education institutions to measure knowledge resources and their capabilities. To do so, the knowledge management system is identified by four main attributes (People, Processes, Technology and Culture) and each attribute is comprehensively analysed in a dedicated section.

Organizational learning as a moderator of the effect of employee participation on academic results

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Quang Tran ◽  
Ngoc Thi Bich Pham
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Academic Results

PurposeHigher education institutions are centers for knowledge creation and transfer, but most are not considered effective learning organizations, as their knowledge resources are not highly used. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of organizational learning on the relationship between employee participation and academic results in higher education institutions to promote learning in such organizations.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 1,050 faculties and managers at 139 Vietnamese universities were aggregated and used for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical multiple regression techniques were applied to test the moderating role of organizational learning in the relationship between employee participation and academic results.FindingsThe results provide support for the view that organizational learning positively moderates the relationship between employee participation and academic results in higher education institutions.Originality/valueThe paper explores the concept of organizational learning in the higher education context and clarifies its moderating role to enhance Vietnamese university performance through learning.

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.

FROM PROTEGE TO CUSTOMER: INCREASING STUDENT INFLUENCE IN CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Quapp ◽  
Klaus Holschemacher
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Decision Making Processes

The increasing appearance of fee financed education offers in higher education result in a power shift from higher education institutions in Germany to their students. Thus, for example, students claim more involvement in university decision processes and the right to evaluate lecturers’ teaching skills. This paper is dealing with the development of student rights. It describes the students’ position at universities under higher education policy aspects. A closer look on the rights and duties of students gives an idea of their options to influence civil and structural engineering education. Furthermore, advantages and disadvantages of the increasing influence of students on universities’ decision making processes were examined. That issue is especially discussed under the perspective of the influence on civil and structural engineering education. The conclusion is that an increasing influence of students and customer orientation at universities may influence the working atmosphere at higher education institutions both in a positive as well as in a negative way. Sometimes students have inventive ideas but often they are not able to overview all aspects of university life. Universities must master the balance between the educational standards of a higher education institution and the increasing demands to involve students in institutional decision making processes.

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