Quality strategies and actions in the Almirante Illingworth Technological Institute, Ecuador

Abstract

In Ecuador, higher technological institutes train professionals to meet the needs of the productive sector and are subject to quality assurance processes in higher education. In this context, translating institutional assessments into concrete strategies and improvement actions remains a challenge. The objective of this study was to design quality strategies and an action plan for the Almirante Illingworth Higher Technological Institute (AITEC) as a means of strengthening institutional educational quality management. A mixed-methods study was conducted, with a predominantly quantitative approach, a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, and a descriptive-diagnostic and proposal-oriented scope. A questionnaire was administered to the educational community using non-probability, self-selected sampling, yielding 328 valid responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings informed the development of a SWOT matrix, the systematic cross-analysis of strategic factors, and the incorporation of benchmarking references to formulate an action plan. The results revealed predominantly favorable assessments of internal factors, with faculty quality receiving the highest rating. Curriculum updating, technological infrastructure, and internal communication were identified as areas for relative improvement. Among external factors, opportunities for partnerships with businesses and the threat of economic instability were particularly prominent. Five strategies and 14 actions were formulated in alignment with the institution's quality objectives. The study concludes that continuous improvement can be grounded in both existing institutional capabilities and the identification of relative improvement priorities. The effectiveness of the proposed plan will need to be determined through its subsequent implementation and evaluation.