Journal of Human Resource Management

Journal of Human Resource Management

The Conceptual Framework of Digital Transformation Based on Electronic Leadership in the Higher Education System (Study of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Abdullah Mohammed Ozer 1
Mohammad Doostar 2
Mohsen Akbari 2
Keykhosro Yakideh 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Business Management, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 Associate Prof., Department of Management, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
3 Assistant Prof., Department of Management, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
10.22034/jhrs.2024.210046
Abstract
Background & Purpose: According to the available evidence, higher education is one of the leading systems in the global digital transformation and plays a central role in the promotion and development of digital tools. But the digital transformation for the higher education system of developing countries and under unstable environmental conditions has delays and shortcomings. Knowing and analyzing these factors by considering their background conditions can expand the knowledge of digital transformation management for developing countries. Iraq is one of these developing countries whose universities and higher education have recently started to focus on electronic education and digital transformation, however, they still face many uncertainties in this field and need specialized frameworks for analysis and planning. The purpose of this research was to present the conceptual framework of digital transformation based on electronic leadership in the higher education system of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Methodology: The qualitative research method was chosen with thematic analysis approach. The participants included scientific experts (professors and researchers) and executives (managers and expert experts) knowledgeable and proficient in the subject of research in higher education institutions and universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The number of samples was estimated to reach theoretical saturation of 19 people. Sampling was done by judgment method (with emphasis on knowledge and experience). The research tool included semi-directed interview with two face-to-face methods and online discussion.
Findings: The findings showed that the network of extracted themes includes 96 concepts, 25 sub-themes, 9 main themes, and 4 general themes. The general themes included environmental drivers, leadership of the higher education system, facilitation and foundation, and the functions of digital transformation in the higher education of the Kurdistan Region. A network of research themes was drawn from the aggregation of general, main and sub-themes.
Conclusion: Based on the extracted and drawn conceptual framework, it can be said that the digital transformation in the higher education of the Kurdistan Region should be considered a multidimensional and multilevel process, and to plan, lead and evaluate its advancement, it is necessary to recognize and control the effects of factors such as the model has been drawn. As a result, it is suggested to the management of higher education in Kurdistan region to use the framework presented in this research to study and plan digital transformation in the system in question.
Keywords
Transformation of universities
Educational technology
Digitization of education
Educational leadership
Iraqi universities
Abdul-Ridha, R. & Jader, A. M. A. (2018). The impact of trust in using social media network in e-leadership: A case study in KAR group in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 7(2), 45-58.
Abuowda, A., Iwidat, H. & Alawnah, M. (2024). Impact of E-leadership on organizational citizenship behaviour of faculty members in higher education: information and communication technology as a mediator. Discover Education, 3(1), 48.
Ahmadi, H., Parsaei, N., Hashemi, S. H. & Nematollahi, H. (2024). Providing a General Model for the Successful Implementation of Digital Transformation in Organizations. Journal of Public Administration, 16(2), 282-315. (in Persian)
Ahmed, A. M. & Allawi, O. W. (2020). a Review Study on the Adoption of Cloud Computing for Higher Education in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. UHD Journal of Science and Technology, 4(1), 59-70.
Akbay, C., Khalil, D. M. & Odel, N. M. (2021). The impact of Covid-19 on small businesses in the North of Iraq. World Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, 6(1), 21-23.
Al-Blaihed, N. M. (2021). The Degree of the E-Leadership Practice at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University of the Corona Pandemic. Journal Of Educational and Psychological Researches, 18(68).
Alborz, A., Slee, R. & Miles, S. (2013). Establishing the foundations for an inclusive education system in Iraq: reflection on findings from a nationwide survey. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(9), 965-987.
Alenezi, M., Wardat, S. & Akour, M. (2023). The need of integrating digital education in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 15(6), 4782.
Al-Husseini, S. & Elbeltagi, I. (2016). Transformational leadership and innovation: a comparison study between Iraq's public and private higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 41(1), 159-181.
Aljanazrah, A., Yerousis, G., Hamed, G. & Khlaif, Z. N. (2022). Digital transformation in times of crisis: Challenges, attitudes, opportunities and lessons learned from students’ and faculty members’ perspectives. In Frontiers in Education, 7(1), 104-035.
Al-Rikabi, Y. K. & Montazer, G. A. (2024). Designing an e-learning readiness assessment model for Iraqi universities employing Fuzzy Delphi Method. Education and Information Technologies, 29(2), 2217-2257.
Ameen, N., Willis, R., Abdullah, M. N. & Shah, M. (2019). Towards the successful integration of e‐learning systems in higher education in Iraq: A student perspective. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(3), 1434-1446.
Arasth, H. & Khabare, K. (2021). Digital University is a platform for digital learning in the Corona and post-Corona eras. Rahyaft, 30(4), 1-15. (in Persian)
Arnold, D. & Morer, A. S. (2018, October). Developing a Framework of e-Leadership Literacies for Technology-Enhanced Learning in Higher Education: A Delphi Study. In EDEN Conference Proceedings (No. 2, pp. 163-171).
Avolio, B. J., Sosik, J. J., Kahai, S. S. & Baker, B. (2014). E-leadership: Re-examining transformations in leadership source and transmission. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 105-131.
Boronenko, T. A. & Fedotova, V. S. (2020). Prerequisites for the digital transformation of the Russian education system. Vestnik of Samara University. History, pedagogics, philology, 26(2), 70-78.
Butler, G. (2017). Fostering community empowerment and capacity building through tourism: Perspectives from Dullstroom, South Africa. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 15(3), 199-212.
Capogna, S., Capogna, S. & Mustica, A. S. (2018). The Challenges for Digital Society: Education and E-Leadership. International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, 4(3), 12-19.
Dahnarco, G., Ramalho, F. R., Barros, A. C. and Soares, A. L. (2019) ‘Providing industry 4.0 technologies: The case of a production technology cluster’, The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 30(2), 1-9.
Dhawan, S. (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 5-22.
Ehlers, U. D. (2020). Digital Leadership in Higher Education. Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies, 1(3), 6-14.
European Commission. (2019). Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027. Retrieved from [European Commission] (https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/digital-education-action-plan_en).
Farias-Gaytan, S., Aguaded, I. & Ramirez-Montoya, M. S. (2023). Digital transformation and digital literacy in the context of complexity within higher education institutions: a systematic literature review. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-11.
Fernández, A., Gómez, B., Binjaku, K. & Meçe, E. K. (2023). Digital transformation initiatives in higher education institutions: A multivocal literature review. Education and information technologies, 28(10), 12351-12382.
Gheyratmand, M. & Jalali, A. (2024). Identification of the Competencies of Leaders in the Digital Transformation Environment. Journal of Human Resource Management, 14(2), 56-81.
(in Persian)
Gkrimpizi, T., Peristeras, V. & Magnisalis, I. (2023). Classification of barriers to digital transformation in higher education institutions: Systematic literature review. Education Sciences, 13(7), 746.
Goudarzi, H., Jazani, N. & Hasanpoor, A. (2023). Providing a Digital Transformation Model of Human Resource Management in Iran's Government Organizations. Industrial and Organizational Psychology Studies, 10(2), 303-316. (in Persian)
Goumeh, F., & Barforoush, A. A. (2021, March). A Digital Maturity Model for digital banking revolution for Iranian banks. In 2021 26th International Computer Conference, Computer Society of Iran (CSICC) (pp. 1-6). IEE
Habib, M. (2023). Digital transformation strategy for developing higher education in conflict-affected societies. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100627.
Haddadi Harandi, A. A., Rezaeifard, M. & Esmaelii, S. (2022). Digital Transformation Maturity Model; Areas and Trends of Research in Iran. Digital Transformation, 2(2), 43-72.
(in Persian)
Hadrawi, H. K. (2018). The Impact of Web Knowledge Networks on E-service Innovation in Iraqi Tourism Companies. Webology, 15(2).
Hameed, A. R. A. G. & Sumari, P. B. (2024). Adoption and continued usage of mobile learning of virtual platforms in Iraqi higher education an unstable environment. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 4(2), 100242.
Helsper, E. J. & Reisdorf, B. C. (2017). The emergence of a “digital underclass” in Great Britain and Sweden: Changing reasons for digital exclusion. New media & society, 19(8), 1253-1270.
Hinings, B., Gegenhuber, T. & Greenwood, R. (2018). Digital innovation and transformation: An institutional perspective. Information and Organization, 28, 52-61.
HosseiniNasab, S. M., ShamiZanjani, M. & Gholipor, A. (2021). Defining a Framework for Chief Digital Officer Duties as Digital Transformation Governor in Organizations. Journal of Human Resource Management, 11(1), 1-25. (in Persian)
Jawad, S. N. & Al-Assaf, S. I. (2014). The higher education system in Iraq and its future. International Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies, 8(1), 55-72.
Kotula, N., Kaczmarek-Ciesielska, D. & Mazurek, G. (2021). Social Media e-Leadership Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Higher Education. Procedia Computer Science, 192, 4741-4750.
Langseth, I., Jacobsen, D. Y. & Haugsbakken, H. (2023). The role of support units in digital transformation: How institutional entrepreneurs build capacity for online learning in higher education. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 28(4), 1745-1782.
Laufer, M., Leiser, A., Deacon, B., Perrin de Brichambaut, P., Fecher, B., Kobsda, C. & Hesse, F. (2021). Digital higher education: a divider or bridge builder? Leadership perspectives on edtech in a COVID-19 reality. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), 1-17.
Maheshwari, G., Clarke, S., Nguyen, Q. A. N., McClelland, R. & Kunte, M. (2024). Effect of E-leadership on employees’ outcomes in the higher education sector during COVID-19 and beyond: A case study from Vietnam. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 17411432231222715.
McCarthy, A. M., Maor, D., McConney, A. & Cavanaugh, C. (2023). Digital transformation in education: Critical components for leaders of system change. Social sciences & humanities open, 8(1), 100479.
Milenkova, V. & Manov, B. (2022). Digital Transformation in Education in Knowledge Society. In Smart Trends in Computing and Communications, 21, 31-39.
Millar, P., & Doherty, A. (2021). Readiness to build capacity in community sport organizations. Managing Sport and Leisure, 26(1-2), 22-40.
Modaresi, Y. , Seyed Naghavi, M. A. , Roodsaz, H. , & Raeesi Vanani, I. (2023). Designing a Conceptual Framework for the Soft Components of Digital Transformation Using Thematic Analysis. Journal of Human Resource Management,13(1), 57-88. doi: 10.22034/jhrs.2023.172970 (in Persian)
Mohammed, H. O., Aziz, A. I., Sadq, Z. M. & Othman, B. A. (2020). The Impact of Transformation Leadership on Employee’s Effectiveness (The Case of Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq). International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 7(11), 201-217.
Mostafayi, B., Emari, H., Beigzadeh, Y. & Beikzad, J. (2024). Developing Digital Transformation Strategies in Universities: University of Tabriz Case Study. Journal of Knowledge-Research Studies, 3(2), 214-48. (in Persian)
Nabiyi, F., Shamizanjani, M. & Garoosi Mokhtarzadeh, N. (2024). Conceptualization of digital transformation strategy and identifying the principles and supporting capabilities for its formation with meta synthesis approach. Science and Technology Policy Letters, 14(1), 29-50. (in Persian)
Nouri, M., Shah Hoseini, M., Shami Zanjani, M. & Abedin, B. (2019). Designing A Conceptual Framework for Leading Digital Transformation in Iranian Companies. Journal of Management and Planning In Educational System, 12(2), 211-242. (in Persian)
Quy, V. K., Thanh, B. T., Chehri, A., Linh, D. M. & Tuan, D. A. (2023). AI and digital transformation in higher education: Vision and approach of a specific university in Vietnam. Sustainability, 15(14), 11093.
Ratten, V. (2020). Coronavirus (covid-19) and entrepreneurship: changing life and work landscape. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 32(5), 503-516.
Shahoodh, G., Al-Salman, O., & Mustafina, J. (2020, December). Towards a Context-Aware Digital Government in Iraq: A Public Sector Employees’ Perspective. In 2020 13th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering (DeSE) (pp. 283-286). IEEE.
Shenkoya, T. & Kim, E. (2023). Sustainability in higher education: digital transformation of the fourth industrial revolution and its impact on open knowledge. Sustainability, 15(3), 2473.
Stegmann, P., Nagel, S., & Ströbel, T. (2021). The digital transformation of value co-creation: a scoping review towards an agenda for sport marketing research. European Sport Management Quarterly, 1-28.
Testov, V. A. (2019). On some methodological problems of digital transformation of education. Informatics and education, (10), 31-36.
Trevisan, L. V., Eustachio, J. H. P. P., Dias, B. G., Filho, W. L. & Pedrozo, E. Á. (2024). Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(2), 2789-2810.
Vial, G. (2019) ‘Understanding digital transformation: A review and research agenda’, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28: 118-144.
Yaseen, M., Salih, H. S., Aljanabi, M., Ali, A. H. & Abed, S. A. (2023). Improving Process Efficiency in Iraqi universities: a proposed management information system. Iraqi Journal For Computer Science and Mathematics, 4(1), 211-219.
Journal of Human Resource Management
Volume 14, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 88-117

  • Receive Date 23 November 2024