Factors Influencing Implementation of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA): A Case Study of Master of Public Administration Programs

Abstract

This research article aims to study factors on implementation of internal quality assurance in master of public administration programs in Thai public postgraduate schools. The author uses qualitative research by thematic analysis of information obtained through document data collection and in-depth interview of the management, instructors and quality assurance implementers in the case studies, which consist of public administration programs in 6 public postgraduate schools: Chulalongkorn University, National Institute of Development Administration, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, University of Phayao and Ubon Ratchathani University, for the total of 29 informants.  The study reveals that at the macro level, policymaker and content of internal quality assurance are impeding factors in implementation of internal quality assurance, while at the meso level, quality policy and quality assurance resource support from the affiliated university facilitate implementation of internal quality assurance, lastly at the micro level, faculty and program director leadership, communication and internal management of the program and faculty also facilitate the implementation, while faculty and program personnel attitude are impeding factors. Also, participation of organization personnel is a facilitating factor in newer programs, but impeding factor in older programs.