Changing the business model of a distance Teaching University: The case of the Open University of the Netherlands

Abstract

In distance education teachers and students do not have classroom contact, but the education is mainly delivered through distance media. This dependency on technology makes these institutes extremely sensible for changes in technologies: from time to time fundamental shifts in the business model are needed in order to maintain the quality of their offering. In this chapter a case study is presented of a business model change of the Open University of the Netherlands in the period 2008–2013. The triggers for change and the new business model are presented. The implementation of the business model is discussed in terms of adaptations in course development (including the use of Open Educational Resources), course delivery, ICT infrastructure, and a revised model for the implementation of innovations.