The Factor Analysis of Digital Transformation Leadership for  Private University Administrators in Hainan Province

Jin Pengfei; Chalabhorn Suwansumrit

Authors

Jin Pengfei Rajapruk University, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Chalabhorn Suwansumrit Rajapruk University, Nonthaburi, Thailand

Keywords:

Digital Transformation Leadership, Private Universities, Hainan Province, Factor Analysis, Higher Education Administration

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to: (1) identify the indicators of digital transformation leadership (DTL) among administrators in private universities in Hainan Province, China; (2) analyse and synthesise its key factors; (3) develop a DTL model for administrators in these universities; and (4) verify its empirical fit. The study combined documentary research, qualitative interviews with nine administrators (purposive sampling), a survey of 108 administrators drawn via Yamane’s formula from a population of 155, and a focus-group validation with ten experts. Instruments comprised a structured interview protocol and a 48-item 5-point Likert questionnaire with content validity verified by experts (IOC) and reliability confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha. Analyses included descriptive statistics, content analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA; principal axis factoring, varimax rotation), second-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and composite reliability.

Results aligned with the four objectives. (1) Forty-eight preliminary indicators were identified and refined through EFA item purification. (2) EFA (KMO=0.800; Bartlett’s χ²(1128)=3200.937, p < .001) extracted five factors explaining 52.75% of variance after rotation: Digital Use & Data Governance; Digital Competence & Change Leadership; Internal Digital Environment & Support; Digital Vision & Strategy; and External Collaboration & Digital Governance Network. (3) These five dimensions were integrated into a structural DTL model. (4) Second order CFA showed acceptable fit; standardized loadings ranged from 0.390 to 0.787 (all p < .001), with Internal Digital Environment & Support (β=0.787) contributing most strongly. Composite reliabilities of first-order factors ranged 0.849–0.919; expert evaluation confirmed theoretical soundness and practical applicability. The study contributes a context-specific DTL model with implications for leadership development and educational digitalization policy.

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