Digital transformation in non-public universities: empirical evidence from Hanoi City, Vietnam

Non-public universities have long played a vital role in Vietnam’s education system. However, their engagement in and level of digital transformation are lower than those of prestigious and well-established public universities. The vigorous development of the educational technology revolution 4.0 requires that non-public universities swiftly adapt to environmental changes. This study aims to identify the factors influencing digital transformation in non-public universities, focusing on a case study in Hanoi City, Vietnam. The research model was validated using the PLS-SEM analysis technique and analyzed data from 194 managers, lecturers, and employees working at six non-public universities in Hanoi, employing a convenient non-probabilistic sampling method. The results indicate that digital transformation in non-public universities is affected by seven factors: government policies, human resources, technical and technological infrastructure, management, financial capacity, readiness, and pressure for digital transformation. Notably, the findings show that the pressure most strongly linked to digital transformation in Hanoi’s private universities. The results of this study provide non-public universities with valuable insights into the determinants of successful digital transformation and guide them in developing appropriate digitalization plans.