Accreditation for distance education offering as generating factor of innovation and change in the university management model: a case study

Abstract

Managing the modality of Distance Education (DE) in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) requires planning, reorganization and paradigm shift regarding the actions used in the face to face education. These are some factors that can lead to innovation and change in the university management model. This research aims to identify, in a case study, the extent to which the accreditation for offering DE was a key driver of innovation and change in the university management process. It was a qualitative applied approach, guided to exploratory objectives. Data were collected through documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. To meet the goal, it was designed a comparison between the model to manage HEI before and after accreditation for DE. Then, indicators of the Institutional Accreditation Instrument served as units of analysis for the presentation of innovations and changes identified due the accreditation. In the outcome of comparison, data were incorporated from interviews and from participant observation, with a final indicative of changes and identified innovations. In conclusion, innovation took place through integration of modalities, diversification of methodologies and offering of online services. Changes occurred in the implementation of operational policy for DE. The management model has been affected by meeting the modalities together, having to innovate in systems and processes.