Navigating the New Digital Landscape: The Role of ICT Accessibility and Competency in Enhancing Educational Quality in Cambodian Public Higher Education

Abstract

Cambodia’s expanding digital economy has positioned the modernization of higher education as a pivotal force in national development. Within this transformation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is indispensable; however, prior research has largely centered on access issues, often termed the “first-level digital divide.” Addressing this gap, the present study offers empirical evidence from Cambodian public universities by examining and comparing the roles of ICT accessibility and ICT competency in shaping students’ perceptions of educational quality. The primary objective was to determine both their individual and relative contributions.
Employing a quantitative methodology, data were obtained through surveys administered to 306 students from five public universities. Data analysis using SmartPLS 3.0 and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) involved validation of the measurement model and hypothesis testing. Results confirm that ICT accessibility (β = 0.255, p < 0.001) and ICT competency (β = 0.309, p < 0.001) exert significant positive effects on perceived educational quality, with competency showing a stronger influence. This finding highlights the “second-level digital divide,” where disparities in skills outweigh those of access. The structural model demonstrated an explanatory power of 15.3% for the variance in educational quality.
The study contributes theoretically by substantiating the second-level digital divide and practically by providing evidence-based guidance for higher education development in Cambodia. Specifically, it underscores the necessity of a dual-focus strategy: continued investment in digital infrastructure alongside systematic initiatives to strengthen digital competencies. Such an integrated approach is vital to advancing educational quality and, ultimately, supporting Cambodia’s broader socio-economic development agenda.