Navigating university-OPMs

Challenging sociocultural norms of higher education to design and deliver spaces for online learning

Abstract

This panel focuses on the second theme of the conference, that is TEL Pedagogies: What can we learn from examples of success and failure in designing with and implementing old and new pedagogies enabled by technology? It explores Online Program Management companies' (OPMs) role in higher education partnerships to design and deliver spaces for online learning. Utilizing key theoretical frameworks such as Resource-Based View (Barney,1991; Kero & Bogale, 2023; Prahalad & Hamel, 1990; Wernerfelt, 1984) and Holon IQ’s Higher Education Digital Capability Framework (2020), the panel empowers universities to identify strengths, gaps, and strategic opportunities for collaboration. Barney (1991) suggests that by posing inquiries related to value, rarity, imitability, and organisation (VRIO), insights regarding competitive advantages, sustainability, and capability gaps can emerge, facilitating strategic decision?making. In the context of OPMs and university clients, VRIO offers a framework to comprehend the competitive advantage and sustainability of educational partnerships. Through discussion and debate the panel aims to challenge sociocultural norms, address challenges in transitioning to online formats, and propose effective partnership strategies.