Design-Based Learning and Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Mechanical Education: Role of Engineering Learning Outcomes and Change Management Awareness

Purpose: This study examines how Design-Based Engineering Learning contributes to Sustainable Competitive Advantage in engineering colleges by explaining the underlying role of Technology change management and the conditional influence of Change Management Awareness. Although design-oriented pedagogies are widely promoted in mechanical education, empirical evidence remains limited regarding their translation into change-handling capabilities and long-term strategic outcomes. This research addresses this gap by investigating both the direct and indirect relationships among the study variables. Method: Data were collected from 253 students enrolled in different engineering programs across engineering colleges using a structured questionnaire. Established measurement scales were adopted from prior studies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed relationships, including mediation and moderation effects. Findings: The results reveal that Design-Based Engineering Learning has a significant positive influence on Technology change management and Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Technology change management plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between Design-Based Engineering Learning and Sustainable Competitive Advantage, indicating that learning-driven design capabilities are realized through effective management of technological change. Additionally, Change Management Awareness significantly strengthens the relationship between Design-Based Engineering Learning and Technology change management. Originality/Implications: This study provides a process-based explanation linking Design-Based Engineering Learning to Sustainable Competitive Advantage by integrating Technology change management and Change Management Awareness into a unified model, offering theoretical and practical insights for engineering education institutions.

Hali tarjima qilinmagan