MANAGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL ERA FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES: AN INTEGRATED CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Digital management is a crucial mechanism for enhancing the quality of education and fostering sustainability within educational institutions in the twenty-first century. This article aims to synthesize concepts and approaches to digital-era management for community colleges in order to develop sustainable educational innovation for communities. The synthesis is based on a comprehensive analysis of relevant documents and research studies. The findings reveal that sustainable management in the digital era must be grounded in the conceptual framework of the “Innovative Learning Organization for Sustainability,” which integrates three core dimensions: (1) Digital Transformation as the driving force of organizational change; (2) Educational Innovation as the central mechanism of transformation; and (3) Community-Based Sustainable Education as the ultimate outcome and goal of sustainability.

The integration of these three dimensions is aligned with six key management approaches: (1) developing digital leadership, (2) fostering learning organizations, (3) integrating technology systematically, (4) managing data effectively, (5) promoting collaboration and educational innovation networks, and (6) ensuring sustainable and ethical digital governance. Together, these approaches aim to create a Sustainable Learning Ecosystem that functions through mutually reinforcing systems and processes. The synthesis suggests that community colleges should establish sustainable digital management policies, enhance digital leadership and competencies among personnel, develop integrative learning models that connect technology with community-based education, and conduct action research to expand and inform national sustainable education policy. These efforts will lead to the development of “Innovative Learning Organizations for Sustainability,” in alignment with and in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 17).