A Hybrid Evaluation Model for e-Learning Platforms Based on Extended TOE Framework

E-learning platforms (ELPs) are revolutionizing the higher education system, as they offer tremendous potential to fulfill instructional plans, safeguard students’ learning rights, and improve teaching quality. Higher education institutions (HEIs) have to consider the selection of ELPs from an organizational perspective, which involves multiple stakeholders like university administrators, students, and educators. Therefore, one can take the ELP selection as a complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. This research proposes a new hybrid MCDM approach on the basis of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and the evaluation based on distance from the average solution (EDAS) method to select the best ELPs. First, from the organizational perspective, we extend the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework by adding an auxiliary resource (AR) dimension and define and prioritize 4 criteria and 14 criteria for evaluating and selecting ELPs. Second, the study uses the fuzzy set theory to process the language evaluation of experts, the FAHP method to determine criteria and sub-criteria weights, and EDAS to rank the alternatives. Finally, based on the importance-performance analysis (IPA) method, we identify the most appropriate strategic options for enhancing competitiveness. Three practical cases of China’s ELP evaluation validate the proposed model’s applicability and superiority by comparing to the two other classic evaluation models. In addition, through analysis, we obtain some encouraging results that provide some references for universities to formulate ELP selection policies and offer suggestions for platform producers to further optimize the design.