Modeling the factors influencing the quality of engineering institutes in India

Purpose: Intense competition in every sector has put administrators under tremendous pressure to develop strategies for survival, and the educational sector is no exception. This paper aims to explore the dynamics between the factors that affect the quality of engineering institutes by developing an interpretive model. Design/methodology/approach: The factors that affect the quality of engineering institutes are identified through a thorough review of extant literature, and the dynamics between them are studied using the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) technique. The developed model has also been statistically validated. Findings: Results indicate that top management leadership, location and infrastructure drive academics, research and consultancy, industry collaboration and placements, resulting in accreditation from global agencies, thereby improving the institute’s quality. Research limitations/implications: The TISM framework was developed based on the suggestions of the majority of respondents rather than using a fuzzy one, which requires a much larger data set. Nevertheless, the bias of the majority approach can be removed by multiple conversations with respondents. Secondly, the model development and validation are based on the perceptions of faculty members working at engineering institutes in India. Scholars can extend the work in the future by identifying additional factors and considering administrators’ perceptions. Originality/value: The study integrates the factors that impact the quality of engineering institutes in a unique way to understand their combined impact. The developed framework will assist policymakers in identifying and dedicating adequate resources to essential factors that drive the other factors, thereby enhancing the institute’s ranking.