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Promoting benchmarking and best practices in education: An interval-valued spherical fuzzy model for assessing sustainable digital transformation maturity

Author

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  • Babaçoğlu, Sinan
  • Yalçın, Galip Cihan
  • Kara, Karahan
  • Turen, Ufuk
  • Simic, Vladimir
  • Polat, Mustafa
  • Pamucar, Dragan

Abstract

Digital transformation encompasses the processes through which organizations undergo digitization, with digital transformation maturity reflecting the extent of integration achieved within these processes, while sustainable digital transformation maturity emphasizes the incorporation of sustainability principles into the digitization and transformation journey. The primary motivation of this research is to develop and propose a decision support system (DSS) to assess universities' sustainable digital transformation maturity performances, achieved through the development of a hybrid model combining the interval-valued spherical fuzzy (IVSF)-modified preference selection index (MPSI) with evaluation based on relative utility and nonlinear standardization (ERUNS). The IVSF-MPSI-ERUNS hybrid approach assesses universities' sustainable digital transformation maturity performance by incorporating expert evaluations, with expertise levels determined using IVSF sets. The importance of sustainable digital transformation maturity parameters is weighted using the IVSF-MPSI method, supported by content analysis of universities' Strategy and Action Plans through qualitative data analysis (MAXQDA), which is shared with experts. The IVSF-ERUNS method is then applied to determine and rank the sustainable digital transformation maturity performances of the universities. The applicability of the hybrid method has been demonstrated through its implementation across eight universities in Turkey, where sustainable digital transformation maturity performances are identified, and the strategic innovation parameter is highlighted as the most significant factor. This finding underscores the necessity for universities to adopt a strategically innovative approach to digital transformation as a critical component in fostering a sustainable societal structure. Sensitivity and comparative analyses are conducted to validate the robustness and consistency of the hybrid method, supporting its recommendation as a tool for assessing universities' sustainable digital transformation maturity performances.

Suggested Citation

  • Babaçoğlu, Sinan & Yalçın, Galip Cihan & Kara, Karahan & Turen, Ufuk & Simic, Vladimir & Polat, Mustafa & Pamucar, Dragan, 2025. "Promoting benchmarking and best practices in education: An interval-valued spherical fuzzy model for assessing sustainable digital transformation maturity," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:81:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25000405
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102850
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    1. Gao, Wang, 2025. "Time-frequency dependence and dynamic linkages between digital economy and education markets," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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