Managing change: The policy implications of constraints to ICT adoption within Cambodian Higher Education Institutions

SOM Ratana; CHAN Raksmey; DUMITRASCU Danut

doi:10.61945/cjbar.2021.3.1.4

SOM Ratana Royal University of Phnom Penh, Russian Federation Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
CHAN Raksmey Royal University of Phnom Penh, Russian Federation Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
DUMITRASCU Danut Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Universitatea, Lucian Blaga" din Sibiu Adresa: Bd-ul Victoriei nr.10, Sibiu, 550024, România

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61945/cjbar.2021.3.1.4

Keywords: information and communication technologies; higher education institutions, policy frameworks; ICT adoption; change management.

Abstract

An assessment of information and communication technology (ICT) adoption within Cambodian higher education institutions (HEIs) identified inefficiencies in existing top-down ICT policy frameworks. This paper outlines a complementary pathway of bottom-up policy development within HEIs to improve this situation. While recommending that the MoEYS focuses on creating a conducive environment (for change management), this paper also advocates for the leaders of HEIs to establish supportive policies informed by the science of change management. For these policies to be practical, they need to be iterative, stemming from previously successful, contextual models of change that are responsive to resource constraints. This may result in practices that are more sustainable than those that are externally funded, and build the trust required for effective ICT adoption to occur.