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In India, national accreditation agencies stipulate that internal quality control in higher education institutions (HEIs) is to be institutionalized through internal quality assurance cells that are responsible for implementing and controlling quality systems. As the concept of goal congruence is central to a control process, this study aims to examine whether goal congruence is observed in such institutions. The impact of the absence of goal congruence on the quality of performance in higher education was also examined.

This cross-sectional study measured the impact of goal congruence or the lack thereof on the performance quality of HEIs as defined in the evaluation criteria of the apex accreditation agency, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. Two hypotheses were tested using t-tests and regression analysis. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit participants’ suggestions.

The results showed a lack of goal congruence between HEIs’ quality goals and their faculty’s personal goals, which adversely impacts the quality of their performance, as indicated by an average disagreement of 81% on a ten-statement scale. Goal congruence as an independent variable explained 63% of the variability in HEIs’ performance quality, and the results were statistically significant, indicating that lack of goal congruence is an important contributor to poor performance among HEIs.

Accreditation of HEIs is a global practice; hence, the findings of this study and the importance of goal congruence apply not only to India but also to HEIs globally.

The purpose of this study is to identify and address significant quality gaps present in business school dissertations in India. Dissertations, an integral and a special component of the overall business school learning process, acquaint students with the practical business world.

The authors benchmarked the dissertation processes of business schools in India against those of reputed business schools in Germany, France, Sweden and Australia. Using a survey questionnaire, the authors checked whether business schools in India followed international processes and, if not, what could be done to adopt such processes. A sample of 367 business schools was studied to obtain reasonable evidence.

There were major quality issues in the dissertation process across business schools in India. Serious groundwork preparation issues were identified, such as an absence of research proposals. Most business schools also reported that there were no rubrics for dissertation evaluation, resulting in high subjectivity in the evaluation process. Supervisor interactions and control over the progress of the dissertation were also found to be very weak. As a result, the authors conclude that dissertations from business schools in India have major gaps in quality.

This is a novel study that examines the quality assurance of business school dissertations. It highlights major quality concerns surrounding the business school dissertation process and suggests measures to address quality issues. The study’s implications apply to business schools in all developing countries and not just India.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sustenance of quality over the long run by higher education institutions (HEIs) as measured by the accreditation scores in two consecutive five-year cycles of accreditation, which is a global quality practice. It also aimed to uncover the causes of the decline in the quality performance of the majority of HEIs.

The authors analyzed 481 Indian HEIs based on their accreditation scores for the second and third cycles of assessment by the apex agency, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. Given the alarming results, the authors investigated the matter further. Possible causes for the lack of quality sustenance on the part of Indian HEIs were ascertained.

While 161 HEIs showed improvement, 320 showed a decline in the accreditation scores. Indian HEIs are on a slippery slope in dealing with quality. This survey of a sample of 248 out of 481 institutions showed that much remains to be done by the Internal Quality Assurance Cells. The lack of institutionalization of quality is a major concern. Findings of this study have implications for HEIs across the globe who want to be assured of quality on a sustained basis.

This study is the first of its kind to look into drops in quality among HEIs that have been in a quality environment for more than 10 years. It warns institutions to guard against quality complacency to sustain quality in the long run.