Comparing internal influential factors affecting accreditation processes in Dutch and Dutch-Caribbean universities: enablers and barriers

During 2009 – 2014 a study was conducted on internal influential factors affecting progress and outcomes of accreditation processes in Dutch-Caribbean universities compared with two Dutch higher education institutions. In this paper findings are presented based on a qualitative multiple case study of accreditation processes in the University of Curaçao contrasted with Utrecht University and HZ University for Applied Science in the Netherlands. Commitment of internal and external stakeholders is a universal enabler but some other internal factors had different effects in Curaçao and the Netherlands. These findings shed light on the enablers and barriers affecting accreditation processes and how to address the challenges encountered particularly in small universities.

This paper was presented at EQAF and reflects the views of the named authors only.