Measuring Digital Transformation in Education 4.0 with DT-Smarty: Valid and Reliable Model

Validated instruments enable strategic decision-making in an increasingly complex technological environment. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should have data measuring technological maturity and readiness for cyber-physical environments, crucial to leading digital transformation and sustainable development. This study presents the validation of an instrument designed to assess academicians' perceptions of the technological maturity and digital transformation readiness of HEIs. The scale dimensions were constructed and validated in three steps: (1) operationalization of the study variables and scale development, (2) content validation through a nine-expert judgment panel with Aiken's V, and (3) factor exploratory analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis using Cronbach's Alpha method. The validation yielded three main findings: Aiken’s V coefficient yielded a value of (> 0.82), indicating substantial agreement for the content evaluation of nine experts; reliability testing produced a Cronbach’s alpha of .957, demonstrating excellent internal consistency. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure was .919, confirming the questionnaire's suitability for 19 items. Four critical dimensions were established: (1) Cyber-Physical Systems, (2) Educational platforms and data and analytics, (3) Organizational platforms, and (4) Continuity and security plans. These results validate the instrument as a robust tool for diagnosing digital maturity in university contexts, effectively capturing the proposed dimensions essential for educational innovation. The future work to evolve this instrument could shed light on the roadmap for incorporating technological enablers, aligning vocational training with the challenges of Industry 4.0, and supported by predictive AI models that allow the creation of solid governance to lead the digital evolution.