Yuk Fong Chin
The adoption of data analytics in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia has become strategically important and is motivated by the Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025 alongside the global trend of data-driven decision making (DDDM). This study explores the relationship between organisational readiness and institutional outcomes vis-à-vis both administrative and academic performance indicators. The study employed a mixed-methods approach by collecting quantitative survey data from 212 HEIs in Malaysia and supplementing it with qualitative interviews with senior administrators. Readiness was defined through five dimensions: data literacy, technology infrastructure utilisation, decision process efficiency, data-driven culture, and change management success. Quantitative analyses performed included: descriptive analyses, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and robust ordinary least-squares regression. Findings from the study suggest both administrative and academic outcomes were above the scale midpoint, with notable differences based on institution type and geographic region. After accounting for institution type, region, and DDDM maturity, readiness emerged as the key predictor of institutional outcomes. Qualitative data underscored the importance of leadership commitment as well as collaboration and sustained capacity-building through cross-departmental networks. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and institutional leaders to enhance their frameworks for readiness by strategically interweaving the human, process, and technological components to facilitate sustainable integration of analytics.