A pragmatic model of student satisfaction: a viewpoint of private higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Rashed Osman ◽  
Ruswiati Surya Saputra
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Program Quality ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Image ◽  
Quality Program ◽  
Grade One

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between service quality, program quality, institutional image and student satisfaction in the context of higher education. Additionally, the study attempts to describe the mediating impact of institutional image between service quality, program quality and student satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The structural equation modeling was used to analyze the influence of mediating variable and hypotheses testing. The population of this study was fourth-year business students of nine “grade one” private universities in Bangladesh. Data (n = 310) were gathered from students pursuing studies at different private universities in Bangladesh. Findings The findings of this study revealed that image occupied full mediation role between service quality and student satisfaction. Furthermore, it also disclosed that the direct path of service quality and student satisfaction was not statistically significant. Practical implications These unique findings imply that academic authorities should nurture the institutional image and program quality rigorously to enhance student satisfaction. The findings of this study would benefit both practitioners and academics, especially in the perspective of Bangladesh private higher education. Originality/value Past researchers have examined the direct affiliation between service quality and student satisfaction. Hence, there is a deficiency of indirect link between service quality and student satisfaction. This study has incorporated image as a mediating variable to fulfill the deficiency in higher education.

Students’ perception and satisfaction of services provided by public and private higher education institutes: a case study in Albania

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Drita Kruja ◽  
Huong Ha ◽  
Elvira Tabaku
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Instructional Effectiveness ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Individual

Purpose There have been many research studies on students’ satisfaction of services in universities in developed countries. However, students’ expectation and satisfaction of public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) with regard to service quality in Eastern Europe have been under-researched. Therefore, this study aims to offer an empirical examination of student satisfaction of the service quality of public and private HEIs in Albania by evaluating the gap between students’ expectation and perception and the effect of student satisfaction on retention in HEIs. Design/methodology/approach The survey instrument used in this study was the student satisfaction inventory in the USA. Primary data were collected from a survey of students in two private and four public HEIs in Albania. A total of 554 valid responses were collected from the survey. Findings The findings suggested that there were performance gaps between public and private HEIs. Public universities performed well in terms of concern for the individual, campus support services, student-centeredness and instructional effectiveness. Private HEIs scored well in terms of concern for the individual, academic advising effectiveness, instructional effectiveness and safety and security (parking). There is a significant difference in students’ perception of the overall satisfaction of HEIs. Students’ overall satisfaction positively impacts their retention. Originality/value Overall, this study provides valuable insights to private and public HEIs’ administrators regarding to student satisfaction and retention. The findings will have far-reaching managerial implications for all groups of stakeholders in terms of the service delivery by universities in Albania and Eastern Europe.

Does higher education service quality effect student satisfaction, image and loyalty?

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Ali ◽  
Yuan Zhou ◽  
Kashif Hussain ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Nair ◽  
Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
International Student ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Image ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Education Service

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Malaysian public universities’ service quality on international student satisfaction, institutional image and loyalty. Design/methodology/approach – A total number of 400 questionnaires were distributed to international students, selected using convenience sampling technique, at three public Malaysian university campuses in Kuala Lumpur. Of this, 241 were deemed fit for analysis (60 per cent response rate). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the collected data, assess the model and test hypotheses. Findings – The findings show that all the five dimensions of higher education service quality influence student satisfaction which in turn influences institutional image, and together, they influence student loyalty. Research limitations/implications – There are a number of limitations associated with this study. First, the findings of the study are based on data from international students at only three Malaysian public university campuses. Second, this study focuses on a relatively small sample of international students. Besides, this study uses HEdPERF to assess higher education service quality which might exclude some factors that may influence international student satisfaction. On the other hand, it highlights a number of implications for the management of Malaysian universities. Originality/value – This study validates the HEdPERF scale in the context of Malaysian public universities with regard to the perceptions of international students. Furthermore, this study extends the HEdPERF scale and examines its effects on student satisfaction, institutional image and loyalty.

Higher education service quality, student satisfaction and loyalty

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viraiyan Teeroovengadum ◽  
Robin Nunkoo ◽  
Christian Gronroos ◽  
T.J. Kamalanabhan ◽  
Ashley Keshwar Seebaluck
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Service ◽  
Order Factor

Purpose The purpose of this study is to validate the higher education service quality (HESQUAL) scale using a confirmatory approach and test an improved structural model that predicts student loyalty from image, perceived value, satisfaction and service quality. In addition to validating the HESQUAL scale using a confirmatory approach, two other main limitations in the extant literature are addressed. Design/methodology/approach The model is tested using data collected from 501 students enrolled in different higher education institutions in Mauritius. A two-stage approach to structural equation modeling is used whereby the measurement model is first tested using confirmatory factor analysis and followed by the assessment of the structural model. Findings Importantly, results indicate that student satisfaction is influenced by technical service quality, image and perceived value, but not by functional service quality. Both dimensions of service quality however are significant predictors of image and perceived value. The study uses a comprehensive measure of service quality and demonstrates that it is worthwhile to consider functional service quality as higher-order model and clearly distinguish between functional and technical quality, as both the technical and functional aspects play an important role in shaping students’ perceptions and behaviors. Originality/value First, in the existing literature, service quality has not been considered as a second-order factor model in structural models of student satisfaction and loyalty, thus lacking either precision or parsimony. Second, the transformative quality aspect of higher education has been largely neglected in previous research testing such predictive models. The model delineates service quality into the functional and transformative (technical) aspects and treats functional service quality as a second-order factor comprising nine sub-dimensions.

Service quality of student services and student satisfaction: the mediating effect of cross-functional collaboration

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1197-1215
Author(s):  
Anwar Khamis Alsheyadi ◽  
Jawaher Albalushi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Affairs ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effect Model

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine the interaction of tangibles, reliability, assurance, responsiveness and empathy dimensions of the service quality (SERVQUAL) and student satisfaction (SS), and second, to explore the mediating role of cross-functional collaboration (CFC) on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and mediated effect models using data collected through a survey of 352 students from 18 higher education institutes (HEIs) in Oman.FindingsThe statistical analysis confirms our main hypotheses. First, the centrality of tangibles, reliability, assurance, responsiveness and empathy dimensions of the service quality was established in the direct effect model, while the importance of tangibles and responsiveness was not confirmed in the mediated effect model. Second, it approved the partial mediation effect of CFC on the five dimensions of SERVQUAL and satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsService quality, level of CFC and relative SS in higher education could be subjected to contextual verification and evaluation of these internal and external contextual factors should be considered.Practical implicationsSeveral implications are highlighted for the effective development of the service quality of student affairs departments (SADs), the development of CFC for effective management, development and deployment of various student affairs initiatives.Originality/valueThis paper satisfies the need to validate the SERVQUAL model in different contexts such as SADs, and the need to investigate the possible mediating effect of other factors on SERVQUAL dimensions and satisfaction to show how the latter can be achieved.

The effect of service quality on behavioural intention: the mediating role of student satisfaction and switching barriers in private universities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sin Howe Tan ◽  
Yuen Onn Choong ◽  
I-Chi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Switching Barriers ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between perception of service quality, student satisfaction, switching barriers on behavioural intentions among private higher education institutions (HEIs) with self-accreditation status in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA total of 388 valid questionnaires were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from the undergraduate students of private HEIs with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. PLS-SEM has been employed for hypotheses testing.FindingsThe results show that student perceived service quality is positively influence student satisfaction and student behavioural intentions, particularly the positive word-of-mouth (WOM). The relationship of student perceived service quality and student behavioural intentions is fully mediated by student satisfaction. However, there is no mediating effect found for the switching barriers on the relationship between student satisfaction and behavioural intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's findings are only generalizable to the private HEI with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the areas of service quality, satisfaction, switching barriers and behavioural intentions. These findings provide valuable insight to the private universities management and policymakers to improve existing policies and practices in order to formulate effective strategies to attract potential new students and retain the existing students through the delivery of high-quality services.Originality/valueThis study's findings have reconfirmed that the causal relationship of perceived service quality-satisfaction-behavioural intentions model. Switching barriers has treated as the mediator which received less attention in the context of private higher education sector. Thus, this study broadens the exiting body of knowledge and advances the understanding of how switching barriers play a crucial role by influencing students' behavioural intention, particular WOM.

A look at university student service quality and satisfaction

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Kee Htang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Quality Dimensions ◽  
Service Quality Dimensions ◽  
The One ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate university students’ perception of service quality and satisfaction in a developing country to guide quality improvement. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative survey design. A new instrument has been developed to measure student perceived service quality. Data was collected from 182 undergraduate students enrolled in a five-year BEd course at the one University of Education in Myanmar. Findings A significant gender difference was found only in one of the service quality dimensions, hostel facilities. There was a significant difference in student satisfaction in the year of study. Apart from cafeteria and hostel facilities, students’ perceived-level of service quality was significantly different. All service quality dimensions were significantly correlated with student satisfaction. Significant relationships were found among intention to leave the university, trust in management and overall satisfaction with the university. Research limitations/implications This study uses data collected from undergraduate students studying at the one University of Education in Myanmar in Myanmar. Practical implications The study adds on to the service quality literature on higher education in developing countries, specifically in Myanmar. The students’ perceived service quality dimensions resulting from this study can be applied by universities to evaluate their performance. Originality/value The research findings presented in this paper fill the gap in the existing literature by providing empirical knowledge on service quality measurement and student satisfaction in the higher education context. The study is among the first studies of students’ perception of service quality and satisfaction in Myanmar.

Antecedents of Student Satisfaction: The Role of Student Perceived Service Quality

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Peter Sin Howe Tan ◽  
Yuen Onn Choong ◽  
I-Chi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Past Experience ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reliable Information ◽  
Perceived Service Quality

There is a lack of attention from past studies on the role of antecedents in the private higher education in Malaysia. Thus, this paper aim to examine the roles of reliable information and past experience on student’s perceived service quality and satisfaction among the undergraduate students of private universities in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was adopted and collected 388 valid data from the 9 private universities in Malaysia. The SERVPERF instrument was adopted to evaluate the perceived service quality among the undergraduate students. The PLS-SEM was applied to analyze the students’ responses in determining the role of antecedents in improving student satisfaction by providing quality tertiary education in the private universities. The findings depicted that reliable information is significantly related with student perceived service quality. However, there is no relationships between past experience and student perceived service quality. Student perceived service quality is found significantly related to student satisfaction. This paper provides a valuable contribution in the body of knowledge of the antecedent and consequence of perceived service quality. The findings of the study help the management of the universities to improve the student satisfaction through the focus on the role of antecedents, particularly reliable information. Several implications are offered which would benefits Malaysia private universities and Ministry of Higher Education.

Influences of working condition and faculty retention on quality education in private universities in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Working Condition ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Faculty Retention ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine the influence of working condition on faculty retention and quality education in the private higher education sector; and second, to see whether there is any mediating role of faculty retention linking working condition and quality education in the private universities in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach To attain these objectives, a total of 516 data were collected from the faculty members of the private universities located all over the country based on random sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling technique. Findings The findings of the study reveal that though working condition has a direct significant influence on both faculty retention and quality education and faculty retention has a partial mediating influence on quality education in private higher education institutes in Bangladesh. Research limitations/implications From a research perspective, the study results demonstrate once again the robustness of the Muslow’s hierarchy need theory of motivation for helping to explain the faculty members of the private universities. As more and more studies of faculty behavior and its antecedents are done within the similar framework, the author is more able to discover and confirm which antecedents are most important, helping the author build a robust theory of quality education affected based on human resource practices by the management of the institutes. Practical implications From a practical perspective, as a cumulative body of work on the nexus between human resource management and quality education emerges, the author will be better able to advise private university authorities on the elements they need to address in order to excel quality education. In this study, the one area of findings that may help university authorities the most concerns work environment. These findings imply that in order to excel quality education the authorities of the private universities should focus more on friendly and enjoyable working environment for prolonging faculty retention and excelling quality education. Originality/value This study has revealed an important contribution focusing the influence of working condition on faculty retention as well as quality education in private universities in Bangladesh.

The effects of service quality on student loyalty: the mediating role of student satisfaction

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrahmanyam Annamdevula ◽  
Raja Shekhar Bellamkonda
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Student Loyalty ◽  
Indian Higher Education ◽  
And Gender

Purpose Student loyalty in higher education sector helps college administrators to establish appropriate programs that promote, establish, develop and maintain successful long-term relationships with both current and former students. The purpose of this study is to propose the use of mediation model that links service quality and student loyalty via student satisfaction and test the direct and indirect effects of service quality on student loyalty with the mediation role of student satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The study used survey research design and collected data from three oldest state universities in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India to find the relationships between service quality, student satisfaction and student loyalty in higher education sector using structural equation modeling. Findings This study tested the proposed research model and proved the mediator role of student satisfaction between service quality and student loyalty. Service quality has been found to be an important input to student satisfaction. The result also shows that while university provides no basis for differentiation among the constructs, age and gender play a major role in determining the different perceptions of students about the constructs investigated. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on student satisfaction, of which service quality is an important antecedent. Identification of other variables, besides service quality, is crucial to contribute to the overall student satisfaction. Similarly, it is just as critical to identify the other elements like value, image or institution reputation which may have direct impact on service loyalty. It would be more precise when the studies also consider the opinion of the students before joining the institute based on word of mouth of passed-out students and after finishing the course. Longitudinal studies to collect predictor and criterion variables before and after the course would be much stronger. Practical implications A clearer understanding of the relationship between service quality, satisfaction and loyalty that helps ensure the management to take better strategies to concentrate and improve the performance is aided by this study. It is interesting to note that the student loyalty is primarily affected by age and gender. This type of analysis helps to identify the target students who have high potential of defection. Social implications Higher education and their respective institutions seek to enhance socio-cultural and economic development to promote active citizenship by inculcating ethical values among students. The Indian higher education institutions are facing enormous issues related to quality in education. The changing nature and need of higher education services and an increase in competitive intensity necessitates higher performance levels in the realm of Indian higher education (universities). These can be achieved through a thorough understanding of the expectations of students and the importance placed by them on aspects found by the study such as teaching, administrative services, support services, hostel facilities, library and lab facilities and internationalization. Originality/value Previous studies have proved the mediation role of satisfaction between service quality and loyalty in marketing literature, but no significant studies have empirically tested the same in higher education sector. The service quality measurement in higher education is complex because of some unique features like customers’ (student) cognitive participation in the service process, the needs of the students being fulfilled by different parties, long-term and continuous services. The study contributes to the existing field of knowledge by providing support for the contention that student satisfaction performs a mediating role in the link between service quality and student loyalty in higher education sector.

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