1) Five common assumptions that prevent digital transformation at higher education institutions are that digital change will not affect them, the pace of change is too fast, digitalization is merely a technical issue, students are ready but teachers are not, and digitalization exceeds their budgets. 2) Digital transformation is a disruptive change process that affects teaching, research, administration, and requires leadership acceptance. 3) While technology drives digitalization, strategy is the key driver, and an interdisciplinary team is essential to developing appropriate cross-cutting strategies to overcome the challenge of digital transformation.

1. Five common assumptions that
prevent digital transformation
at Higher Education Institutions
Michael Kopp, Ortrun Gröblinger, Simone Adams

2. We digitize information,
we digitalize processes and roles
that make up the operations of a business,
and we digitally transform
the business and its strategy.
(J. Bloomberg, 2018)

3. Digital transformation
does not affect us
(Change)
§ (Disruptive) change
process
§ Affects the whole
society
§ Teaching, research
and administration
§ Challenge for HEI-
leaders to accept
the process

4. We have to be fast
(Pace)
§ Imaginary pressure
and competition
§ Similar level of
development
§ Urgency instead of
hastiness
§ Implementation
takes time

5. Digitalization is merely
a technical issue
(Technology)
§ Technology is a
strong driver, BUT
§ Strategy is the
key driver
§ Interdisciplinary
team is essential
§ Strategy is a
management task

6. Students are ready,
but teachers are not
(Competencies)
§ “Digital natives”
are a myth
§ Digital competencies
must be analyzed
§ Motivation is more
important than age
§ (Mandatory) trainings
for teachers and
students

7. Digitalization
exceeds our budget
(Financing)
§ Digitalization costs
money, BUT
§ Many of these costs
already exist
§ Redeployment of
existing budgets
§ Acquisition of third-
party funding

8. Digital transformation is a challenge,
that can only be overcome
by treating it as a change process
and by developing
appropriate cross-cutting strategies.

9. Thank you for
your attention
Michael Kopp
University of Graz
Twitter: @koanmi