The Delphi method for internationalization of higher education in Pakistan: integrating theory of constraints and quality function deployment

Abstract

Improvement of workforce quality is a major concern for the developing countries like Pakistan. Country’s higher education standard determines the quality of their workforce. Developing countries are continuously experiencing different methodologies for the improvement in the higher education standards and to meet the international standards. This study provides a roadmap for improvements in the higher education quality to meet international standard. The study used Delphi approach for the processes of internationalization of higher education. A Delphi panel of 20 educationists participated in the study having minimum 15 years of experience and 3 years in any international institution of higher education. A road map for the internationalization of higher education in Pakistan has been developed from the outcomes of the Delphi panel. In addition, this study used Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as a tool for analyzing the relationship between quality factors of higher education and technical constraints of the higher education institutions. The results show that managerial support and commitment is a key to success in the internationalization of higher education.