Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Fatemeh Akhoondi Barzoki ¹
• MohammadReza NiliAhhmadabadi ²
• Mehdi ShamiZanjani ³

¹ , Ph.D. Student of Curriculum Planning in Higher Education, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Educational, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

³ Associate Prof., Department of Information Technology Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The emergence of advanced technologies alongside the Fourth Industrial Revolution in higher education has gradually introduced new concepts such as digital transformation, digital education, and ultimately the digital university. The digital university is an emerging concept that requires definition, and it can be clarified by identifying its features. Therefore, this research aims to comprehensively study the theoretical foundations of the digital university by outlining its characteristics, enabling a deeper understanding and comprehension in this field, and contributing to the development of studies from both theoretical and practical perspectives. To thoroughly analyze the theoretical foundations of the characteristics of the digital university, a systematic review method was employed. After formulating the research question and establishing the search strategy, 43 relevant scholarly articles published between 2000 and 2022 were identified and analyzed. Through the systematic review of the theoretical foundations and by utilizing open, axial, and selective coding methods, eight characteristics were identified: ecosystem and comprehensiveness, digital curriculum, socialization, digital strategies, digital experience, platform-centricity, data-centricity, innovation, and agility. Each dimension comprises various components that reflect the similarities and differences between traditional universities and digital universities which were approved by the experts. The results of this research can serve as a guide for higher education institutions to evaluate and align their characteristics, determining their position in the move towards digitalization. Institutions can consider these characteristics in their overall management strategies to enhance competitiveness in response to the evolving demands of modern society.

Keywords

• Digital Transformation
• Digital University
• characteristics of the digital university
• Systematic Review

Main Subjects

• Data science, intelligence and future analysis