A systematic literature review on maturity models for information systems in higher education institutions

ABSTRACT

Maturity models have been introduced over the last five decades as guides and references for information system (IS) management in organizations from different sectors. In the education sector, maturity models have also been used to evaluate higher education institutions (HEIs) across several dimensions, such as information and communication technology (ICT), management, process management, course curricula, course/HEI accreditation, e-/m-learning, online courses and pedagogical strategies. In fact, HEIs are faced with enormous complexity due to the specificity and quantity of their processes. Based on the guidelines concerning a methodology for a systematic literature review, the maturity models of different subareas of education are identified and categorized in this paper. For each maturity model associated with HEIs’ ISs, the appropriate methodology for development and validation is identified, as well as the scope, stages and their dimensional characteristics. This study highlights the need to develop an IS maturity model that supports HEIs in their core business activities and management.

KEYWORDS:

• Stages of growth
• maturity models
• higher education institutions
• education information systems
• management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. b-on is an online knowledge library offering research and higher education institutions unlimited and permanent access to complete texts from over 16,750 scientific international publications from 16 publishers. Available at: https://www.b-on.pt/en/what-is-b-on/.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

João Vidal Carvalho

João Vidal Carvalho holds PhD in Information Systems and Technology from University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), MSc in Information Technology Management from University of Minho (Portugal), and Bachelor in Computer Science. He is Adjunct professor in Information Systems at School of Accounting and Administration of Porto/Polytechnic of Porto, a researcher at CEOS.PP and a collaborator researcher at LIACC (Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science). Member of the Iberian Systems and Information Technology Association (AISTI). Published some books in computer science/Databases. Develops several research activities in the context of the Information Systems Maturity Models that result in the publication of several scientific papers.

Rui Humberto Pereira

Rui Humberto Pereira holds PhD in Computer Science, MSc in Computer Science, and BCs in Computer Science. He is Professor of Information Systems at School of Accounting and Administration of Porto/Porto Polytechnic. He is member of CEOS.PP - Centre for Organisational. He develops several research activities in the scope of his main research interests, Databases, Aspect-Oriented Software Development and Software Engineering that resulted in the publication of several scientific papers. He has several years of experience as team leader in software development and IT services.

Álvaro Rocha

Álvaro Rocha holds the title of Honorary Professor, DSc in Information Sciences, and PhD in Information Systems and Technologies. He is Professor of Information Systems at University of Coimbra, a researcher at CISUC (Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra) and a collaborator researcher at LIACC (Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science) and at CINTESIS (Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems). He is President of AISTI (Iberian Association for Information Systems and Technologies) and Chair of IEEE Portugal Section Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society Chapter. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of JISEM (Journal of Information Systems Engineering & Management) and the Editor-in-Chief of RISTI (Iberian Journal of Information Systems and Technologies). Moreover, he has acted as Vice-Chair of Experts in the Horizon 2020 of the European Commission, as Expert in the Ministry of Education, University and Research of the Italian Government, and as Expert in the Ministry of Finance of the Latvian Government.