An investigation of the management of E-Learning resource development and delivery in Higher Education Institutes of Sri Lanka

This research investigates how the management of e-learning influences education in Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka. The Baldrige Education Excellence Model is used to investigate the current management practices within the Higher Education Institutes in relation to e-learning resource development and delivery. Using a case study approach with an interpretivist epistemology, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather evidence of current management practices from Sri Lanka Higher Education senior leaders, academics, and academic support staff in two institutes. The management of e-learning Resource Development and Delivery was specifically investigated through the interviews and discussions with participants in the selected Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka. Each institutional case was analysed individually while the similarities and differences between the cases were identified. The cases also highlight the unique cultural context and the socio-economic factors that impact on the Higher Education sector in Sri Lanka. The analysis also reveals the variations of different management practices in the institutes. A set of recommendations are suggested, focusing on the areas that need to be considered when developing e-learning resources and delivering using e-learning within Higher Education Institutes, especially in Sri Lanka. The recommendations focus on: processes, infrastructure, leadership, and strategic planning that assist or resist e-learning Resource Development and Delivery. The thesis outlines the implications of the research and future enhancements in e-learning Resource Development and Delivery.