The role of digitalization in the quality management system of educational services and ensuring the competitiveness of higher education institutions

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by intensifying competition in the educational services market, the active digital transformation of the educational environment, and the need to improve the quality of educational services in higher education institutions. Modern conditions of the higher education system functioning require the implementation of effective digital management tools capable of ensuring transparency of educational processes, efficiency of managerial decision-making, and adaptability of higher education institutions to changes in the external environment. At the same time, the insufficient level of integration of digital technologies into the quality management system of educational services complicates the process of ensuring the competitiveness of higher education institutions and requires further scientific substantiation. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the role of digitalization in the quality management system of educational services and determine its impact on ensuring the competitiveness of higher education institutions. The methodological basis of the study includes general scientific and special research methods, in particular methods of analysis and synthesis, system generalization, and comparative analysis, which made it possible to investigate the relationship between digitalization, the quality of educational services, and the competitiveness of higher education institutions. As a result of the study, the main directions of the influence of digitalization on the quality management system of educational services and the competitive positions of higher education institutions were identified. It has been substantiated that the use of digital platforms, data analytics systems, electronic document management, distance and blended learning services contributes to increasing the efficiency of management processes, transparency of educational activities, operational monitoring of educational results, and the quality of communication between participants in the educational process. The main stages of implementing digitalization tools in the quality management system of educational services were studied, including the audit of the current management system, integration of digital services into a unified information environment, development of digital competencies of personnel, and improvement of the digital infrastructure of higher education institutions. The obtained results confirm that the digitalization of the quality management system of educational services is an important strategic direction for the development of higher education institutions and a necessary condition for ensuring their competitiveness in the digital economy. The use of modern digital technologies contributes to improving the quality of educational services, the adaptability of the educational environment, and the formation of sustainable competitive advantages of higher education institutions.