Agile Excellence: A Context-Specific Management Model for Private Higher Education in Bangkok

Background and Aim: Private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Bangkok are vital to Thailand’s knowledge-based economy but face increasing competition and quality challenges. Reports from ONESQA (2023) highlight persistent weaknesses in strategic management, research productivity, and curriculum alignment with international standards. Despite several quality models being proposed, there remains a practical gap in integrated, context-specific management frameworks suited to the agility of private colleges. This study aimed to (1) identify key components of excellence management, (2) develop a management guideline tailored to Bangkok’s private HEIs, and (3) evaluate its feasibility and utility. Materials and Methods: A sequential mixed-methods design was applied in three phases. Phase 1 involved quantitative data collection from 350 administrators, analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (principal axis factoring, Promax rotation). Phase 2 employed expert interviews (n=5) to refine and validate the guideline, while Phase 3 conducted pilot testing with 10 administrators. Statistical analyses included KMO, Bartlett’s Test, means (X̄), standard deviations (SD), and content analysis. Reliability of instruments was acceptable (Cronbach’s α=0.778). Results: Seven management dimensions were identified—Staff Development, Academic and Moral Activities, Student-Centricity, Leadership, External Network Engagement, Excellence Management, and Curriculum Management, explaining 79.41% of total variance. Feasibility (X̄=4.56, SD=0.44) and utility (X̄=4.57, SD=0.31) were rated at the highest level. Conclusion: The resulting seven-dimensional management framework offers a practical, evidence-based model to enhance excellence and competitiveness among private HEIs in Bangkok and similar contexts nationwide.