Abstract:

The adoption and application of Learning Management Systems (LMS) in Higher Education Institutions (HEI), encompassing both public and private universities, is a pivotal tool for educational reform, enhancing educational quality, improving operational efficiency, and attaining cost-effectiveness. Despite their potential benefits, LMS implementation often faces resistance within the academic community. Prior research has found that early perceptions of organizational readiness for change significantly shape subsequent attitudes and behaviors, manifested as negative rumors, lack of engagement, and resistance to change. Drawing upon organizational change management and information management systems literature, this study identifies crucial variables shaping academics' early perceptions of organizational readiness for change, specifically in the context of LMS projects.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to validate the research model, encompassing seven public universities and three private colleges in Kosovo that had endorsed LMS adoption. A total of 316 academicians from these institutions participated in the study.

The assessment of reliability and validity of scale items demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. Data analysis was performed using partial least squares to explore the relationships among study variables. Five hypothesized links in the research model received empirical support, with vision clarity, change appropriateness, top-management support, the presence of an effective champion, and organizational flexibility explaining 75% of the variance in organizational readiness for change.

In summary, organizational readiness emerges as a critical determinant of academics' initial endorsement of LMS initiatives. As HEIs persist in their investment in information technologies to enhance educational quality, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, comprehending the influencers of organizational readiness for change remains paramount, providing a promising direction for future research.

This study has a number of limitations. Firstly, this study was a cross-sectional study and examined only quantitative data that were collected from survey questionnaires and did not examine longitudinal data collected from interviews. This limited the study from generating findings from the mixed method, in a longitudinal timeframe, which could analyze a richer data set and produce more extended analytical outcomes.

Keywords:

Organizational change readiness, learning management systems, higher education institutions, Kosovo.