A Qualitative Study on Management Information Systems Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Accreditation in Türkiye

Year 2024, , 222 - 244, 31.12.2024

Esra Cengiz Tırpan , Erman Coşkun , Nihal Sütütemiz

https://doi.org/10.26650/acin.1540603

Abstract

In recent years, the accreditation of universities and programs has gained special importance worldwide and in our country, and higher education institutions have set various accreditation targets. Accreditation, which documents the compliance and quality of an institution or program with specific standards, includes an audit process that evaluates and approves the compliance of the institution or program with national or international standards. Although a successful accreditation process depends on many factors, one of the obstacles is the lack of ownership and support by faculty members and even resistance to accreditation. The fact that accreditation processes are new in Management Information Systems (MIS) departments in Türkiye and that no MIS department with international program accreditation has been evaluated using program-specific criteria reveals the importance of measuring MIS faculty members’ perceptions toward accreditation. The primary purpose of this study is to determine the current status evaluations of MIS bachelor programs in Türkiye, examine the perceptions and perspectives of faculty members regarding accreditation, and reveal the problems encountered in the process. Within the scope of the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 faculty members working in the MIS department in Türkiye using a semi-structured interview form. The questions in the interview form were divided into three categories: perception and perspective on accreditation, Accreditation of MIS programs, problematic areas encountered during the accreditation process, and the benefits of accreditation. Comparisons between participants were presented, and a descriptive analysis of the categories was performed. The findings revealed that faculty members have a positive perspective on the accreditation process regarding quality education, continuous improvement, and process management. However, documentation, monitoring of processes, and the associated workload are seen as difficulties in accreditation. Therefore, university administrators must make necessary arrangements to handle paperwork and routine data collection. Staff members and faculty members should be able to focus on their primary activities, such as increasing the quality of teaching and producing high-impact research.

Keywords

Accreditation, higher education, management information systems, qualitative analysis

References

• AACSB (2023). 2020 Guiding principles and standards for business accreditation. Retrieved July 10, 2024 from https://www.aacsb.edu/-/media/ documents/accreditation/2020-aacsb-business-accreditation-standards-june-2023.pdf google scholar
• ABET (2023). Criteria for accrediting computing programs, 2024 - 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://www.abet.org/accreditation/ accreditation-criteria/criteria-for-accrediting-computing-programs-2024-2025/ google scholar
• ABET (2024). About ABET. Retrieved August 24, 2024 from https://www.abet.org/about-abet/ google scholar
• Adelman, C., & Silver, H. (1990). Accreditation: The American Experience, Council for National Academic Awards: London. google scholar
• Ahmad, H., Francis, A. & Zairi, M. (2007), Business process reengineering: critical success factors in higher education", Business Process Management Journal, 13(3), 451-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/14637150710752344 google scholar
• AKPINAR, H., (2011). Türkiye’de Enformasyon Sistemleri Öğretiminde 20. Yıl. Uluslararası 9. Bilgi, Ekonomi ve Yönetim Kongresi Bildirileri (pp.565-665). google scholar
• Aktan, C. C., & Gencel, U. (2010). Yüksek öğretimde akreditasyon. Organizasyon Ve Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(2), 137-146. google scholar
• Al Shobaki, M. J., & Naser, S. S. A. (2017). The role of the practice of excellence strategies in education to achieve sustainable competitive advantage to institutions of higher education-faculty of engineering and information technology at Al-Azhar University in Gaza a model. International Journal of Digital Publication Technology, 1(2), 135-157. google scholar
• Alaskar, A., D’Errico, E., Alipoon, L., & Dehom, S. (2019). Institutional accreditation in Saudi Arabian higher education: perceptions and involvement. Quality in Higher Education, 25(3), 245-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2019.1667630 google scholar
• Alpaydın, Y., & Topal, M. (2022). Eğitim fakültelerindeki akreditasyon deneyimleri üzerine nitel bir araştırma. İnsan ve Toplum, 12(2), 232-265. google scholar
• Alstete, J. W. (2004). Accreditation matters: Achieving Academic Recognition and Renewal. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report. (1st edition). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
• Alstete, J.W. (2007). A brief history of college accreditation. In: College accreditation managing internal revitalization and public respect (pp.11-21). Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230601932_2 google scholar
• Angulo-Ruiz, F., Pergelova, A. & Cheben, J. (2016). The relevance of marketing activities for higher education institutions. In Wu, T. & Naidoo, V. (Eds) International marketing of higher Education (pp.13-45). Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978- 1- 137- 54291- 5_ 2 google scholar
• AQAS (2024). Crıterıa & ındıcators for programme accredıtatıon (decısıon of the accredıtatıon commıssıon of 01.12.2015, versıon of 26.09.2019) Retrieved July 18, 2024 from https://www.aqas.eu/downloads/Criteria%20for%20Programme%20Accreditation.pdf google scholar
• Aytaçlı, B. (2012). Durum çalışmasına ayrıntılı bir bakış. Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(1), 1-9. google scholar
• Balzer, W.K. (2020). Lean higher education: Icreasing the value and performance of university processes, (2nd ed.). Productivity Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351216944 google scholar
• Başkale, H. (2016). Nitel araştırmalarda geçerlik, güvenirlik ve örneklem büyüklüğünün belirlenmesi. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 9(1), 23-28. google scholar
• Bengshir Kaya, T. (2002). Türkiye’de yönetim bilişim sistemleri disiplininin gelişimi üzerine düşünceler. Amme İdaresi Dergisi, 35(1), 77-103. google scholar
• Bitter, M. E. (2014). The benefits of AACSB accounting accreditation: Perceptions of administrators of accounting accredited programs. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 18(1), 85. google scholar
• Bittick, J. C. (2003). Evolving Through Accreditation. Corrections Today, 65(2), 8. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://research.ebsco.com/ linkprocessor/plink?id=66b9441d-87a7-3b24-a01d-df6ae344f76b google scholar
• Blanco Ramirez, G. (2015). International accreditation as global position taking: An empirical exploration of US accreditation in Mexico. Higher Education, 69, 361-374. google scholar
• Bougherira, M. R., & Elasmar, M. H. (2023). Impact of academic accreditation on teaching and learning: faculty members’ perceptions. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(2), 167-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2102412 google scholar
• Bruening, K. S., Mitchell, B. E., & Pfeiffer, M. M. (2002). Accreditation standards for dietetics education. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 102(4), 566-577. google scholar
• Caeiro, S., Sandoval Hamon, L. A., Martins, R., & Bayas Aldaz, C. E. (2020). Sustainability Assessment and Benchmarking in Higher Education Institutions—A Critical Reflection. Sustainability, 12(2),1-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020543 google scholar
• Campbell, C., & Rozsnyai, C. (2002). Quality assurance and the development of course programmes. Papers on Higher Education Regional University Network on Governance and Management of Higher Education in South East Europe Bucharest, UNESCO. google scholar
• Ceccucci & White (2008). IS faculty perceptions of ABET. Accreditation. Information Systems Education Journal, 6 (54), 1-8. google scholar
• Cho, J. & Trent, A. (2006). Validity in qualitative research revisited. Qualitative Research, 6(3), 319-340. google scholar
• Chowdhury, H., Alam, F., Biswas, S. K., Islam, M. T., & Islam, A. S. (2012). Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Engineering Education in Bangladesh. Procedia Engineering, 56, 864-869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.03.208 google scholar
• Coşkun E., Özşahin M., Bozkuş Kahyaoğlu S. & Alma Çallı B. (2020, 23-25 September). Accreditation process in turkish business schools: recommendations based on awareness, perceptions, and problematic areas. 19. Uluslararası İşletmecilik Kongresi, Kayseri, Türkiye. google scholar
• Coşkun, E., & Alma, A. G. B. (2018). Copıng Wıth Qualıty Issues in Management Informatıon Systems Departments In Turkey Through Accredıtatıon. The Online Journal of Quality in Higher Education, 5(2), 29-37. google scholar
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (2024). About accreditation. Retrieved July 28, 2024 from https://www.chea.org/about-accreditation# what. google scholar
• Creswell, J. W. 2003. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage google scholar
• Cropley, A. J. (2002). Qualitative research methods: An introduction for students of psychology and education. Zinatne google scholar
• Eaton, J. S. (2012). What future for accreditation: The challenge and opportunity of the accreditation-federal government relationship. Inquiry, evidence, and excellence: The promise and practice of quality assurance (77-88). Teacher Education Accreditation Council. https://files. eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED541693.pdf#page=89 google scholar
• Eaton, J. S. (2015). An overview of us accreditation. revised november 2015. Council for Higher Education Accreditation, 1-12. https://files. eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED569225.pdf google scholar
• Erkuş, L. (2009). Eğitim fakültelerinin akreditasyon sürecine hazır olma durumuna ilişkin öğretim elemanlarının görüşlerinin değerlendirilmesi. (unpublished master’s thesis) Kırıkkale Üniversitesi. google scholar
• Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1993). Doing naturalistic inquiry: A guide to methods. Sage Publications. google scholar
• Frasquet, M., Calderon, H., & Cervera, A. (2012). University-industry collaboration from a relationship marketing perspective: An empirical analysis in a Spanish University. Higher Education, 64, 85-98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-011-9482-3 google scholar
• Gilbert, G. (2010). Making faculty count in higher education assessment. Academe, 96(5), 25-27. google scholar
• Grix J. (2010). Foundations of research, (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. google scholar
• Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1982). Epistemological and methodological bases of naturalistic inquiry. Educational Technology Research and Development, 30(4), 233-252. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765185 google scholar
• Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903 google scholar
• Harvey, L. (2004). The power of accreditation: views of academics1. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 26(2), 207-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080042000218267 google scholar
• Harvey, L., & Knight, P. T. (1996). Transforming Higher Education. Open University Press, Taylor & Francis, 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598. google scholar
• Harvey, L., & Williams, J. (2010). Fifteen years of quality in higher education. Quality in Higher Education, 16(1), 3-36. https://doi.org/10. 1080/13538321003679457 google scholar
• Hegji, A. (2014). An overview of accreditation of higher education in the United States. Retrieved May 18, 2024 from https://www.everycrsreport. com/files/20141212_R43826_b164b03be4ae59db66b18659613e7befa573edf2.pdf google scholar
• Hernes G. & Martin, M. (Eds.). (2008). Accreditation and the global higher education market. International Institute for Educational Planning. https://coilink.org/20.500.12592/6djhbg6 google scholar
• Herr, K. & Anderson, G. L. (2015). The action research dissertation: a guide for students and faculty (2nd Ed.). SAGE Publications. google scholar
• Hijazi, R. (2016). Statistics education in gcc business schools. Global Business and Economics Review, 18(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1504/ gber.2016.073256 google scholar
• Hilton, T. S (2003). MIS Program Accreditation: Comparing AACSB and ABET. In the Proceedings of Information Systems Education Conference (ISECON). Retrieved August 24, 2024 https://iscap.us/proceedings/isecon/2003/2211/ISECON.2003.Hilton.pdf google scholar
• Hilton, T. S., Johnson, D. A., & Kasper, G.M. (2004), ABET Accreditation of MIS Programs in AACSB Schools, In the Proceedings of Information Systems Education Conference (ISECON), 21, 1-16. google scholar
• Hoare, A., & Goad, P. (2022). The quality continuum: perceptions of institutional accreditation. Quality Assurance in Education, 30(1), 102-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-08-2021-0135 google scholar
• Ito, H., Takeuchi, S., Yokoyama, K., Makita, Y., & Ishii, M. (2024). Impact of AACSB accreditation on education quality: perceptions of faculty in an accredited school in Japan. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(3), 769-785. https://doi.org/10.1108/ IJEM-05-2023-0258 google scholar
• İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi (2024). Bölüm tanıtımı. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://iisbf.gelisim.edu.tr/tr/akademik-bolum-yonetim-bilisim-sistemleri-icerik-bolum-tanitimi google scholar
• King, W. R. (1978). Strategic planning for management information systems. MIS Quarterly, 2(1), 27-37. google scholar
• Kroenke, David M. (2012), Experiencing MIS. (3th Ed.). Pearson. google scholar
• Kumar, P., Shukla, B., & Passey, D. (2020). Impact of accreditation on quality and excellence of higher education institutions. Investigacion Operacional, 41(2), 151-167. google scholar
• Laudon, Kenneth C., & Jane P. Laudon. 2014. Management information systems: Managing the digital firm. (13th Ed.). Pearson. google scholar
• LeCompte, M. D., & Goetz, J. P. (1982). Problems of reliability and validity in ethnographic research. Review of educational research, 52(1), 31-60. google scholar
• Leidig, P., Salmela, H., Anderson, G., Babb, J., de Villiers, C., Gardner L., Nunamaker, J.F., Scholtz, B., Shankararaman, V., Sooriamurthi, R. & Thouin, M., (2021). The joint ACM/AIS IS2020 task force, IS2020 a competency model for undergraduate programs in information systems. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/ education/curricularecommendations/is2020.pdf google scholar
• Lewis, S. E. (2016). Perceptions of university faculty regarding accreditation in a college of education (Unpublished doctoral thesis), University of South Florida. google scholar
• Lozano, R., Lukman, R., Lozano, F. J., Huisingh, D., & Lambrechts, W. (2013). Declarations for sustainability in higher education: becoming better leaders, through addressing the university system. Journal Of Cleaner Production, 48, 10-19. google scholar
• Lundquist, R. (1997). Quality systems and ISO 9000 in higher education. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 22(2), 159-172. google scholar
• MacKinnon, R. J., Elder, K. L., & Dyer, J. N. (2012). The Current Status of ABET Accreditation of Information Systems Programs. Issues in Information Systems, 13(1), 151-159. google scholar
• Mady, M. T., Al-Hussainan, A., & Mady, T. T. (2023). AACSB-Accreditation benefits as predictor of faculty attitude toward the accreditation process: an exploratory study. Journal of Management and Business Education, 6(1), 24-42. https://doi.org/10.35564/jmbe.2023.0002 google scholar
• Menzli, L. J., Ayouni, S., & Elsadig, M. (2019). Quality assessment of business process models: Case of accreditation process in higher education. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 10(5), 874-884. google scholar
• Merriam, S. B. & Tisdell, E. J. (2016).Qualitative research: a guide to design and ımplementation (4th Ed.). Jossey-Bass Publishers. google scholar
• Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. revised and expanded from case study research in education. (2nd Revised & Expanded). Jossey-Bass Publishers google scholar
• Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage. google scholar
• Mpinganjira, M. (2011). Retaining Africa’s talent: The role of Africa’s higher education. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 6(2), 168-179. google scholar
• Mursidi, A., Raharjo, T. J., Sugiyo, S., & Yulianto, A. (2020). Factual model of internal quality assurance system of private higher education institutions in indonesia. Journal of Education, Teaching and Learning, 5(1), 46-52 google scholar
• Oudshoorn, M., Raj, R. K., Thomas, S., & Parrish, A. (2018, June). The value of abet accreditation to computing programs. In 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. University of Pittsburgh. Utah, USA. google scholar
• Özyeğin Üniversitesi (2024). Akreditasyon ve kalite güvencesi. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://www.ozyegin.edu.tr/tr/isletme-fakultesi/ akreditasyon-ve-kalite-guvencesi google scholar
• Patton, M. Q. (1987). How to use qualitative methods in evaluation. (2nd Ed.) Sage Publications google scholar
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th Ed.). Sage Publications. google scholar
• Prendergast, J., Saleh, M., Lynch, K., & Murphy, J. (2001). A revolutionary style at third level education towards TQM. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 118(1-3), 362-367. google scholar
• Rhodes, T. L. (2012). Show me the learning: Value, accreditation, and the quality of the degree. Planning for Higher Education, 40(3), 36-42. google scholar
• Roller, R. H., Andrews, B. K., & Bovee, S. L. (2003). Specialized accreditation of business schools: A comparison of alternative costs, benefits, and motivations. Journal of Education for Business, 78(4), 197-204. google scholar
• Shaiban, A. S. (2024). Perceived stress among staff in Saudi Arabian dental colleges before and after an accreditation process: A cross-sectional study. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 12(4), 758. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i4.758 google scholar
• Sahney, S., Banwet, D. K., & Karunes, S. (2004). Conceptualizing total quality management in higher education. The TQM Magazine, 16(2), 145-159. google scholar
• Sakarya Üniversitesi (2024). AACSB akreditasyonu resmi sonuç. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://aacsb.sakarya.edu.tr/tr/duyuru/goster/ 116660/aacsb- akreditasyonu- resmi- sonuc google scholar
• Sanyal, B. C., & Martin, M. (2007). Quality assurance and the role of accreditation: An overview. Retrieved July 24, 2024 from http: //hdl.handle.net/2099/8095 google scholar
• Seeman, E. D., & O’Hara, M. (2006). Customer relationship management in higher education: using information systems to improve the student-school relationship. Campus-wide Information Systems, 23(1), 24-34. google scholar
• Semercı, Ç., Semerci, N., Ünal, F., Yılmaz, E., Kaygın, H., Ulus, İ. Ç., ... & Yılmaz, Ö. (2021). Akademisyenlerin akreditasyon algılarının incelenmesi. Asian Journal of Instruction (E-AJI), 9(1), 1-14. google scholar
• Sosyal Beşeri Temel Bilimler Akreditasyon ve Rating Derneği (2024). Hakkımızda. Retrieved August 18, 2024 from https://www.star.org.tr/ kurumsal/hakkimizda google scholar
• Tantekin Ersolmaz Ş (2018). MÜDEK: Yükseköğretimde İlk Ulusal Akreditasyon Kuruluşu, İTÜ Vakfı Dergisi, 79, 76-79. google scholar
• Thomas, A., Antony, J., Haven-Tang, C., Francis, M., & Fisher, R. (2017). Implementing Lean Six Sigma into curriculum design and delivery-a case study in higher education. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 66(5), 577-597. google scholar
• van Berkel, H., & Wijnen, W. (2010). Accreditation in the Netherlands: does accountability improve educational quality?. Research in Comparative and International Education, 5(1), 88-97. google scholar
• Van Vught, F. A., & Westerheijden, D. F. (1994). Towards a general model of quality assessment in higher education. Higher Education, 28(3), 355-371. google scholar
• Welzant, H., Schindler, L., Puls-Elvidge, S., & Crawford, L. (2011). Definitions of quality in higher education: A synthesis of the literature. Higher learning research communications, 5(3), 1-11. google scholar
• Wilson-Hail, C. K., Hurst, B., Chang, C. W., & Cooper, W. (2019). Accreditation in education: One institution’s examination of faculty perceptions. Critical Questions in Education, 10(1), 17-28. google scholar
• Yıldırım, A., Şimşek, H. (2018). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri (10. Baskı). Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık google scholar
• Yin, R. (2003). Case study research: design and methods. (3rd Ed.). Sage Publications. google scholar
• Yükseköğretim Kalite Kurulu (2024). Tescil süresi devam edenler. Retrieved August 24, 2024 from https://yokak.gov.tr/akreditasyon-kuruluslari/ tescil- suresi- devam- edenler google scholar
• Zayachuk, Y., & Yamelynets, M. (2021). Accreditation procedures as a factor of quality assurance of higher education in Germany. Pedagogika. Studia i Rozprawy, 30(30), 179-189 google scholar
• Zohrabi, M. (2013). Mixed method research: Instruments, validity, reliability and reporting findings. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(2), 254-262. google scholar