Atul Kumar, Amol Gawande, Shailendra Kumar Kale, Akash Agarwal, Vinaydeep Brar and Shirish Raibagkar
This study aims to assess the impact of academic audit, a quality assurance tool in higher educational institutions. It explores the relationship between the effective use of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the impact of academic audit, a quality assurance tool in higher educational institutions. It explores the relationship between the effective use of academic audits and the institutions’ quality performance, as indicated by their accreditation score.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a questionnaire, the authors checked whether colleges across India effectively used academic audits and the key challenges in conducting the audit. A sample of 428 was drawn from a population of 6,201 colleges. The challenges in conducting academic audits, mostly operational, were grounded in literature and measured using a five-point Likert scale. Regression analysis and a t-test were used to test the two hypotheses.
Findings
The effective use of academic audits significantly influences the quality of the colleges measured by the accreditation score. Findings show that ineffective implementation of academic audits leads to mediocre accreditation performance. Simultaneously, the colleges face several challenges in implementing academic audits.
Originality/value
This novel attempt examines the relationship between academic audit and accreditation performance. Through this unique study, the authors make a case for using academic audits by higher educational institutions adopting accreditation as a quality strategy. The research unfolds the significant value that academic audit holds for facilitating accreditation.
Details
Keywords
Atul Kumar, Amol Gawande, Akash Agarwal, Shailendrakumar Kale, Vinaydeep Brar and Shirish Raibagkar
The purpose of this study is to identify and address significant quality gaps present in business school dissertations in India. Dissertations, an integral and a special component…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify and address significant quality gaps present in business school dissertations in India. Dissertations, an integral and a special component of the overall business school learning process, acquaint students with the practical business world.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors benchmarked the dissertation processes of business schools in India against those of reputed business schools in Germany, France, Sweden and Australia. Using a survey questionnaire, the authors checked whether business schools in India followed international processes and, if not, what could be done to adopt such processes. A sample of 367 business schools was studied to obtain reasonable evidence.
Findings
There were major quality issues in the dissertation process across business schools in India. Serious groundwork preparation issues were identified, such as an absence of research proposals. Most business schools also reported that there were no rubrics for dissertation evaluation, resulting in high subjectivity in the evaluation process. Supervisor interactions and control over the progress of the dissertation were also found to be very weak. As a result, the authors conclude that dissertations from business schools in India have major gaps in quality.
Originality/value
This is a novel study that examines the quality assurance of business school dissertations. It highlights major quality concerns surrounding the business school dissertation process and suggests measures to address quality issues. The study’s implications apply to business schools in all developing countries and not just India.