Methodology for Developing Digital Maturity Model of Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Achieving any of the three primary missions of higher education institutions (HEIs) (teaching, scientific production and contribution to the society) is today almost impossible without information and communication technologies (ICT). Because of this, analyzing the maturity of ICT use at HEIs becomes useful and necessary for two main reasons: (1) HEIs can determine how digital mature they are based on how ready they are for different ICT challenges, and (2) HEIs can determine what ICT areas and fields they need to improve. There are many frameworks for measuring the digital maturity, but none for HEIs. In this paper, the methodology for developing a digital maturity model for HEIs (DMMHEI) is presented. DMMHEI consists of two parts: (1) a framework that covers areas and elements which influence digital maturity and (2) a two-component instrument used to assess the HEI's digital maturity. The methodology for creating such a model is based on paradigm called design science research (DSR). Once created, the methodology can be applied in different higher education systems in different countries to create DMMHEIs that are adjusted to different contexts.