Digital Governance and Institutional Performance in Higher Education: Empirical Insights from Uzbekistan's Experience

In the context of global digital transformation, higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly required to adopt effective digital governance mechanisms to enhance transparency, efficiency, and overall institutional performance. In Uzbekistan, the implementation of digital governance has become a strategic component of national modernization under the Digital Uzbekistan–2030 initiative; however, empirical evidence on its actual impact remains limited. The purpose of this study is to examine how digital governance practices influence institutional performance in Uzbekistan’s HEIs. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 228 respondents across 10 public universities using a validated survey instrument. Statistical analyses, including correlation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM), were applied to identify causal relationships among the key variables. The findings confirm that digital governance, transparency, ICT infrastructure, and leadership readiness have a significant positive impact on institutional performance (R² = 0.68; p < 0.01). The study substantiates the hypothesis that well-structured digital governance frameworks contribute to improved management efficiency and service quality in higher education. Theoretically, the research enriches understanding of governance-performance linkages in developing contexts; practically, it provides actionable insights for policymakers and university administrators to strengthen institutional digital maturity, equity, and competitiveness in the evolving digital economy.