A Conceptual Framework for Online Credential Adoption: The Role of Digital Capabilities and Self-Efficacy in Higher Education

This paper presents a conceptual framework examining the relationship between digital capabilities, self-efficacy, and online credential adoption in higher education, with a particular focus on faculty development. In the context of Kuwait’s evolving education landscape, the study highlights the critical role of digital capabilities such as ICT proficiency, digital collaboration, and information literacy in fostering faculty readiness for integrating online credentials. The framework also underscores the importance of self-efficacy as a mediating variable, shaping faculty attitudes and mitigating concerns toward the adoption of digital credentials. Addressing a notable gap in literature, this study explores how self-efficacy enhances the impact of digital capabilities on faculty confidence, ultimately facilitating the successful adoption of online credentials. By integrating the Teaching Staff Digital Capability Framework and the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption process. The research offers practical implications for higher education institutions, policymakers, and faculty development programs, with a focus on enhancing digital competencies and promoting self-efficacy to support the digital transformation of education.