Implementing Digital Transformation in Public Tertiary Institutions: An Exploration of John Kotter’s Change Management Model

This study explores John Kotter's Change Management model as guide for the implementation of digital transformation initiative of tertiary institutions. It analyses to what degree a well-thoughtout change management can overcome resistance, offer support and stakeholder engagement, and facilitate sustainable rollout of digital platforms and solutions into the workings and activity frameworks of tertiary institutions.   The study presents Kotter's eight-step model of conceptual and theoretical frameworks for digital HEIs’ transformation. The study combines literature and empirical submissions to highlight technology-induced change management gaps in the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, especially in the developing societies where infrastructure shortages, limited funds, and resistance hinder the implementation of digital initiatives. The study brings to the forefront the need for tertiary education to focus beyond technological innovations and embrace a systematic and explicit organizational change practices that involve digital coalition, competence development and enhancement, stakeholders' support and engagement, and digital enculturation. Incorporating the Kotter's model, tertiary education can overcome resistance, develop resilience, competitiveness, and quality of education in the digital era.