DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDUCATION POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: EXAMINING GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS AND SUCCESS FACTORS IN OECD COUNTRIES

Abstract

Digital transformation has become imperative in education policy, yet implementation effectiveness varies significantly across nations. This study examines governance mechanisms and success factors shaping digital education policy implementation in 15 OECD countries (2020-2024). Employing mixed methods, the research combines quantitative analysis of OECD/UNESCO indicators with case studies of five countries representing diverse governance models. Data include policy documents, 45 elite interviews, and digital infrastructure metrics. Results demonstrate that adaptive governance structures achieve 34% higher digital adoption rates than rigid hierarchical systems. Multi-stakeholder coordination strongly correlates with implementation success (r=0.72, p<0.001), while infrastructure investment explains 48% of outcome variance. Hybrid governance models combining centralized strategy with decentralized implementation yield superior effectiveness (7.8/10) compared to purely centralized (6.2/10) or decentralized approaches (5.9/10). Teacher digital competency programs emerge as the strongest predictor, with countries investing >3% of education budgets in professional development showing 2.3 times higher student digital literacy. The study develops an integrated framework accounting for contextual variables, stakeholder dynamics, and technological infrastructure, offering evidence-based guidance for balancing standardization with local adaptation while ensuring equitable digital transformation.