Exploring international brand alliances between local and foreign higher education institutions: an empirical study of sub-degree students

• Published in: International journal of educational management Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 186 - 206
• Main Authors: Oy Lar Kiki, Chan, Lau, Yui-yip, Chan, Victor C.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 24.01.2023; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Alliances; Associative Learning; Attitudes; Brand image; Business Administration Education; Collaboration; College Applicants; College Choice; Educational Quality; Educational Trends; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Institutional Characteristics; Institutional Cooperation; Institutional Evaluation; Intention; International Education; Learning; Learning Theories; Management Development; Open Universities; Partnerships in Education; Rating Scales; Reputation; Student Attitudes; Teaching Methods; Two Year College Students; Universities; Macau; Hong Kong; Australia; United Kingdom (England); Hong Kong China; China; Brand alliance; Brand attitude; Study intention; Perceived brand fit
• ISSN: 0951-354X; 1758-6518
• DOI: 10.1108/IJEM-06-2022-0221

PurposeThis study empirically investigates the influence of students' brand attitudes and perceptions of brand fit on their study intention vis-à-vis international brand alliances and individual brands after alliance.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling (SEM) was used in data analysis, and a questionnaire was administered to a sample of sub-degree business management students recruited from a self-financing higher education institution in Hong Kong.FindingsThe results indicate that students' prior attitudes towards the brands of foreign and local institutions and their perceptions of brand fit positively affect their study intention, providing evidence that post-attitudes towards individual brands fully mediate the relationship between attitudes towards international brand alliances and study intention towards individual institutions.Originality/valueInternational brand alliances between higher education institutions are becoming increasingly important. In Hong Kong, despite the emerging trend of collaboration between foreign and local universities, an evaluation of the effect of international brand alliances on study intention has been seriously overlooked.