Towards an unified information systems reference model for higher education institutions

Higher education institutions are currently facing many challenges that are making them to start compete strategically, like other not-for-profit firm. To adequately support such new approach, their information systems and business strategies should be totally aligned. However, the current existing landscape of heterogeneous information systems and applications deployed in many institutions can compromise such aim. Recently, reference architectures and models have emerged as instruments suitable to help company’s decision-makers to cope with such tensions. However, whilst many of such architectural models already exist for several industries, little has been done so far in higher education. In this paper, we briefly review major existing developments in such way before to inductively derive a unified information systems reference model tailored for higher education institutions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Maturity models for improving the quality of digital teaching

In this paper we present a primer on the state-of the-art of existing maturity models (MMs) for eLearning. By means of a traditional qualitative literature review, 29 different models are identified. Next, they are analysed and classified on the basis of a framework of 20 common properties derived from general theory on MMs, considering aspects related to their definition, structure and practical use. Results of the analysis suggest that existing eLearning MMs mainly address problems linked to eLearning management and organization at institutional level, educational technology, instructional design and faculty staff professional development. However, they tend to provide relatively moderate support for being effectively applied in practice, which clearly compromises and dismisses their power and utility as prescriptive tools for quality improvement. Our findings contribute to the current body of knowledge on eLearning by providing improved understanding, visibility, transparency and traceability of eLearning MMs designed to date, which may be of interest to both practitioners and researchersPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

What is that thing called internal quality assurance system?

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to explore and to propose a comprehensive definition and conceptualization of an Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) for Higher Education Institution (HEI) by using Work Systems Theory (WST) as a theoretical lens. Design/methodology/approach: The paper follows a multiple method research approach by grounding on a literature review and validating against a published study case. Findings: After analysing a number of IQAS definitions, the paper shows how these systems can be defined as a specific case of a “work system”, the main unit of analysis and conceptualization provided by WST. To further demonstrate the academic relevance and practical applicability of the proposed conceptualization, we provide a concrete instantiation as a “work system” of the IQAS implemented in a real HEI case. Research limitations: Additional instantiations of IQAS implemented in other different real contexts should be conducted to foster the generalizability of the proposed framework. Practical implications: Using the same theoretical lens as a reference point, the paper provides insights and directions for further research as well as potential future uses and practical applications of the derived conceptualization. Originality/value: To our best knowledge, this is the first comprehensive formal IQAS definition and first WST-based conceptualizing an IQAS for HEIs.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

First in-depth analysis of enterprise architectures and models for higher education institutions

Enterprise Reference Architectures (ERAs) and Reference Models (RMs) have emerged over the last years as relevant instruments for improving the quality and effectiveness of enterprise architecture (EA) practice. Whilst a wide variety of different ERAs and RMs have been proposed for different industries and types of business, only few of them have been devoted to the Higher Education (HE) sector. In this paper, we propose an in-depth analysis process which we then critically apply to review, compare and classify 20 existing ERAs and RMs targeted to the HE domain. Our process uses a common set of 12 definitional attributes. In so doing, we contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing a unified, structured and comprehensive analysis process and catalog of these abstract EA artifacts. With this we aim to create awareness on their potential practical utility and to increase their visibility, transparency and opportunity for their reusability by different HE stakeholders. Hence, the proposed process and catalog is expected to be useful both for practitioners and researchers by providing a panoramic view of more or less ready-to-use existing ERAs and RMs for HE, as well as a structure way to regard them. Moreover, and by specifying their main scope, coverage and extend of knowledge captured, the process and catalog might become a valuable tool for providing guidance to HE stakeholders on making better-informed decisions on the selection of suitable architectural artifacts for being conveniently adapted or applied in different EA practices conducted at their respective institutions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

What is that thing called internal quality assurance system?

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to explore and to propose a comprehensive definition and conceptualization of an Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) for Higher Education Institution (HEI) by using Work Systems Theory (WST) as a theoretical lens. Design/methodology/approach: The paper follows a multiple method research approach by grounding on a literature review and validating against a published study case. Findings: After analysing a number of IQAS definitions, the paper shows how these systems can be defined as a specific case of a “work system”, the main unit of analysis and conceptualization provided by WST. To further demonstrate the academic relevance and practical applicability of the proposed conceptualization, we provide a concrete instantiation as a “work system” of the IQAS implemented in a real HEI case. Research limitations: Additional instantiations of IQAS implemented in other different real contexts should be conducted to foster the generalizability of the proposed framework. Practical implications: Using the same theoretical lens as a reference point, the paper provides insights and directions for further research as well as potential future uses and practical applications of the derived conceptualization. Originality/value: To our best knowledge, this is the first comprehensive formal IQAS definition and first WST-based conceptualizing an IQAS for HEIs.Peer Reviewe

First in-depth analysis of enterprise architectures and models for higher education institutions

Enterprise Reference Architectures (ERAs) and Reference Models (RMs) have emerged over the last years as relevant instruments for improving the quality and effectiveness of enterprise architecture (EA) practice. Whilst a wide variety of different ERAs and RMs have been proposed for different industries and types of business, only few of them have been devoted to the Higher Education (HE) sector. In this paper, we propose an in-depth analysis process which we then critically apply to review, compare and classify 20 existing ERAs and RMs targeted to the HE domain. Our process uses a common set of 12 definitional attributes. In so doing, we contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing a unified, structured and comprehensive analysis process and catalog of these abstract EA artifacts. With this we aim to create awareness on their potential practical utility and to increase their visibility, transparency and opportunity for their reusability by different HE stakeholders. Hence, the proposed process and catalog is expected to be useful both for practitioners and researchers by providing a panoramic view of more or less ready-to-use existing ERAs and RMs for HE, as well as a structure way to regard them. Moreover, and by specifying their main scope, coverage and extend of knowledge captured, the process and catalog might become a valuable tool for providing guidance to HE stakeholders on making better-informed decisions on the selection of suitable architectural artifacts for being conveniently adapted or applied in different EA practices conducted at their respective institutions.Peer Reviewe

Towards an unified information systems reference model for higher education institutions

Higher education institutions are currently facing many challenges that are making them to start compete strategically, like other not-for-profit firm. To adequately support such new approach, their information systems and business strategies should be totally aligned. However, the current existing landscape of heterogeneous information systems and applications deployed in many institutions can compromise such aim. Recently, reference architectures and models have emerged as instruments suitable to help company’s decision-makers to cope with such tensions. However, whilst many of such architectural models already exist for several industries, little has been done so far in higher education. In this paper, we briefly review major existing developments in such way before to inductively derive a unified information systems reference model tailored for higher education institutions.Peer Reviewe

Maturity models for improving the quality of digital teaching

In this paper we present a primer on the state-of the-art of existing maturity models (MMs) for eLearning. By means of a traditional qualitative literature review, 29 different models are identified. Next, they are analysed and classified on the basis of a framework of 20 common properties derived from general theory on MMs, considering aspects related to their definition, structure and practical use. Results of the analysis suggest that existing eLearning MMs mainly address problems linked to eLearning management and organization at institutional level, educational technology, instructional design and faculty staff professional development. However, they tend to provide relatively moderate support for being effectively applied in practice, which clearly compromises and dismisses their power and utility as prescriptive tools for quality improvement. Our findings contribute to the current body of knowledge on eLearning by providing improved understanding, visibility, transparency and traceability of eLearning MMs designed to date, which may be of interest to both practitioners and researchersPeer Reviewe

What is that thing called internal quality assurance system?

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to explore and to propose a comprehensive definition and conceptualization of an Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) for Higher Education Institution (HEI) by using Work Systems Theory (WST) as a theoretical lens. Design/methodology/approach: The paper follows a multiple method research approach by grounding on a literature review and validating against a published study case. Findings: After analysing a number of IQAS definitions, the paper shows how these systems can be defined as a specific case of a “work system”, the main unit of analysis and conceptualization provided by WST. To further demonstrate the academic relevance and practical applicability of the proposed conceptualization, we provide a concrete instantiation as a “work system” of the IQAS implemented in a real HEI case. Research limitations: Additional instantiations of IQAS implemented in other different real contexts should be conducted to foster the generalizability of the proposed framework. Practical implications: Using the same theoretical lens as a reference point, the paper provides insights and directions for further research as well as potential future uses and practical applications of the derived conceptualization. Originality/value: To our best knowledge, this is the first comprehensive formal IQAS definition and first WST-based conceptualizing an IQAS for HEIs.Peer Reviewe