Strategic Management Through Digital Platforms for Remote Working in the Higher Education Industry During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fred A.  Yamoah; Adnan  ul Haque

doi:10.23762/FSO_VOL10_NO2_6

Published : 2022-06-29

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2022)

Strategic Management Through Digital Platforms for Remote Working in the Higher Education Industry During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fred A. Yamoah

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4919-0752

Adnan ul Haque

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2051-8635

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL10_NO2_6

Abstract

Strategic management is a vital part of every industry; however, the COVID-19 crisis has further escalated the importance of strategic management and adaptability in the higher education industry. The convergence of digital, information and communication technologies coupled with lockdown measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the adoption of digital platforms and technologies for online teaching and learning in higher education. This qualitative paper aims to examine the viewpoints of and challenges faced by students and lecturers pertaining to digital platforms and technologies in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research methodology encompasses the use of a networking approach; 80 interviews were conducted with 38 students and 42 university lecturers in Europe, Australia, North America, and Asia. The selection of a sample was undertaken by
means of a gatekeeper strategy combined with convenience sampling, while the saturation point was used as a benchmark to reach a representative sample size. The results revealed that digital platforms and technologies facilitate a participative teaching style and improve the learning capabilities of students. The results further highlight the fact that break-out rooms, pre-class videos and creative learning activities promote higher levels of student attendance and engagement. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that, despite the significant development of digital technologies and information and communication technologies (ICTs), both lecturers and students prefer traditional face-to-face teaching because it offers greater emotional connectivity. Major challenges unearthed include poor connectivity, a higher incidence of depression, feelings of self-isolation and a lack of emotional engagement. Recommendations and implications for the higher education industry relating to remote learning are presented in the latter part of this paper.

Keywords:

Strategic management, digital learning platforms, e-learning opportunities, e-learning challenges, igher education industry

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Yamoah, F. A. ., & ul Haque, A. . (2022). Strategic Management Through Digital Platforms for Remote Working in the Higher Education Industry During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 10(2), 111–128. https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL10_NO2_6

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Fred A. Yamoah

f.yamoah@bbk.ac.uk
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4919-0752

Affiliation:

Birkbeck University of London United Kingdom

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Dr. Fred A. Yamoah is a senior lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. He is an experienced academic in further and higher education with a proven record in teaching, research, curriculum development, transnational education, national and international student recruitment, and consultancy, and is passionate about emerging technologies and business engagement. He has served in various capacities in further and higher education, as a vice-principal, programme leader, deputy director of MBA programmes, accreditation and international partnerships director, postgraduate research coordinator, and academic quality nominee, amongst others. Fred has published over 50 refereed journal publications and two book chapters, as well as being a principal investigator for various research projects in the UK and overseas, a journal editor, external examiner, visiting professor and public speaker. He is a fellow of Higher Education. He is a contributing author of ‘Developing Skills for Business Leadership’, a CIPD 2010 publiction, and the forthcoming Palgrave publication on ‘Sustainability in Marketing’. Dr Yamoah is an experienced PhD research development advisor, research supervisor and external examiner.

He is also an approved external PhD Examiner for Plymouth University, Cardiff Metropolitan

University and the University of Worcester, examining doctoral theses, and has examined over

10 DBA/PhD theses within the UK.

Adnan ul Haque

ahaque@yorkvilleu.ca
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2051-8635

Affiliation:

Yorkville University Canada

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Professor. Dr. Adnan ul Haque is a fulltime faculty member at the Faculty of Business and Management, Yorkville University, Canada. He earned his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Organisational Behaviour from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD – London), UK. He received the Best PG Research Student Award from the University of Sunderland (MBA-HRM), PGD in Business and Management, UK, Diploma in Research and Leadership from the University of Copenhagen, and Distinctions in MPA and BPA (Hons) from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. He is a corporate trainer and a consultant to MNCs. He is a mentor at Oxford Brooks University. Dr. Haque is a session chair and keynote presenter at various international conferences. He is also an approved external PhD Examiner for Athabasca University, Canada, University of Karachi, Pakistan, PAF Kiet, Pakistan, and Kalasalingan Academy of Research and Education, India. He also serves as an editor for handbooks and special issues (e.g. IGI and Sustainability)