A Comparative Study of Implementation of Information Technology in the United Kingdom and Chinese Education Field

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the issues and challenges facing information technology implementation in higher education, from which the study seeks to compare key factors influence implementation decisions between Chinese and UK higher education. The study adopts a mixed method approach by using survey and in-depth interviews to collect primary data. The study found that Chinese and UK Universities encounter barriers, some are similar but others are different when deploying e-learning technologies. The key barriers are faced by UK institutions are mainly technical literate, lack of time and financial resources, and legal issues; whilst traditional mind-set; government support, teaching methods and market demand are the key barriers faced by Chinese institutions. The similar barriers faced between UK and Chinese e-learning deployment include the organizational capability and technical constraint. Based on the findings, the study called the attention of government policy makers and associations to provide necessary support to both UK and Chinese higher education institutions on their deployment of e-learning technologies. The research identified that technical constraints and organizational capability are common issues, this means that investment on technical expertise in e-learning technologies and further funding to provide training and human resources, are required from both institutional and governmental level, to help support the successful deployment of e-learning technology in higher education.