ICT Leadership in Higher Education: A Multiple Case Study in Colombia

Cifuentes-Álvarez, Gary and Vanderlinde, Ruben ICT Leadership in Higher Education: A Multiple Case Study in Colombia. Comunicar, 2015, vol. 23, n. 45. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

In this paper we analyze ICT integration in higher education institutions focusing on the leadership practices of ICT policies, a research field that has not received much attention in higher education studies. An empirical study was carried out using a distributed leadership approach to analyze such practice in higher education institutions in Colombia, a country where a national ICT policy has steered and promoted ICT policy plans. In particular, the inquiry attempted to understand how the leadership of ICT is distributed in different higher education environments. Through a multiple case study, that included semi-structured interviews with leaders and team members, focus groups with professors, document analysis and a survey applied to faculty members ICT leadership practices and their implications were investigated. The results indicate a set of struggles that leaders have to cope with when deploying an ICT policy plan, for instance, coping with a lack of institutional regulations, and fostering educational change despite reluctance. Indeed, ICT leadership is a challenging and underexplored practice in higher education. This paper is a systematic attempt to demonstrate this statement and its implications. These findings are of particular relevance for the work of policy makers, ICT coordinators and leaders in higher education around the world.

Spanish abstract

En este artículo analizamos la integración de las TIC en instituciones de educación superior. Nos centramos en las prácticas de liderazgo en políticas sobre TIC, un campo de investigación que no ha recibido mucha atención en los estudios sobre educación superior. Usando un enfoque de liderazgo distribuido se analizó dicha práctica en instituciones de educación superior en Colombia, un país donde una política de incorporación de las TIC llevó a promover la elaboración de planes estratégicos en dichas instituciones. En particular, la investigación buscó entender cómo el liderazgo de las TIC es distribuido en diferentes ambientes de educación superior. A partir de un estudio de caso múltiple que incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas con líderes y miembros de equipos, grupos focales con profesores, análisis documental y una encuesta aplicada a profesores, fueron investigadas las prácticas de liderazgo de las TIC y sus implicaciones. Los resultados indican un conjunto de tensiones que los líderes deben enfrentar cuando incorporan un plan estratégico de TIC, por ejemplo, la ausencia de regulaciones institucionales o la necesidad de promocionar el cambio educativo a pesar de las resistencias. De hecho, el liderazgo de las TIC es una práctica retadora y aún poco explorada en educación superior. Este artículo es un intento sistemático por demostrar este enunciado y sus implicaciones. Estos hallazgos son de particular relevancia para el trabajo de los diseñadores de políticas, coordinadores de TIC y líderes en educación superior de todo el mundo.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Higher education, leadership, ICT policies, distributed leadership, educational policy, educational planning, case study
Subjects: C. Users, literacy and reading.
Depositing user: Alex Ruiz
Date deposited: 25 Jul 2015 15:24
Last modified: 25 Jul 2015 15:24
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/25454

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