Theoretical Model Study on the Adoption of Quality Management in Turkish Higher Education System with New Institutional Theory Arguments

Abstract

This study seeks to develop an institutional theory-based model to analyze quality management in Turkish higher education using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, which is widely used in exploratory research and theory development. The model is used to explore the theoretical relationships between which isomorphic change mechanisms cause quality management to be adopted, the decision-making style employed by higher education institutions, how quality management is implemented, and how quality management is adopted in the Turkish higher education context. Analysis of the developed structural equation model shows that; while the effect of the coercive pressure mechanisms on endogenous variables was not found to be statistically significant, the mimetic pressure mechanisms were found to have a negative effect (β= -0,286; T: 2,252) on the conformity to the normative pattern of QM adoption, while the normative pressure mechanism is positive on the conformity to the normative pattern of QM adoption (β= 0.428; T: 3.952) and both effects were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Also, a significant statistical relationship was not found between the pressure mechanisms and decision-making style, decision-making style and implementation, and application style and decision-making style. The study, confirming the institutional theory literature, reveals a PLS-SEM road model that concludes that quality management in the Turkish higher education system is normative / ceremonially adopted by the effects of normative pressure mechanisms.

Keywords: Quality management, Customization or conformity, Quality in higher education, PLS-SEM, Turkish higher education institutions, Quality assurance

JEL Classification: M16, M38, O38, O43, O52, L10, L20, L30