A strategic approach of the crucial elements for the implementation of digital tools and processes in higher education

Abstract

Implementation of digital tools and processes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as an emergent activity depends on the sociomaterial relationships between institutional factors that dynamically interact with each other. This article systematically explores through a literature review some of the most relevant and up-to-date published studies to identify the ‘important factors’ to consider for the implementation of digital tools and processes in HEI. The goal of the paper is to turn these factors, conceived initially as previous conditions or characteristics of the institutions or people, into a list of strategic elements to be fostered by HEI leadership teams to promote better implementation of digital tools and processes in their institutions. In the final part of this work, we propose a framework that reflects these elements in a visual approach that highlights the activity-centred character of the framework as well as the emergent character of the implementation process itself.