Quality Assurance in Education The impact of quality assurance measures on student services at the Japanese and Thai private universities : Table of ContentsAbstract:Purpose The purpose of the paper is to ascertain students' perceptions on quality of services provided by private universities in Thailand and Japan and how these affected decisions selecting a university. A comparative study aims to focus on how cultural and economic factors affected their decisions. Design/methodology/approach Research design sought students' perceptions through empirical surveys on the type of factors which influenced their decisions in selecting a university. As the students needed to form their views on personal experience on services categorized into ten factors, the research sample included students with one-four years of campus experience. The research instrument was a well validated questionnaire developed on a review of literature and a pilot study. For the main study, 1,900 Thai students from nine private universities and 703 Japanese students from two private colleges were invited to participate. Findings Findings suggest that in selecting a university campus the university's reputation, academic staff, quality of the programs and job-placement were the most important factors that influenced student decisions. The comparative analyses reveal many similarities and some differences between the two groups while Thai students had a higher degree of satisfaction than Japanese counterparts which may perhaps be attributed to economic disparities. Implications Findings may not be generally applicable as the sample was limited and cultural contexts were somewhat similar. Yet, there were generic factors applicable to most universities. Originality/value These findings are valuable to university administrators and academics to improve the quality of services which are most important in influencing student perceptions in selecting a university. |
School supervision and evaluation in China: the Shanghai perspective : Table of ContentsAbstract:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent developments in school developmental supervisory evaluation in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai in the Chinese Mainland. Design/methodology/approach The main research approach is qualitative, using documentary analysis and interviews of an inspector, principals and teachers from two primary schools. Findings There were perceived positive and negative impacts of school supervision and evaluation. Originality/value The paper highlights the implications for fostering a shared school-government community of school supervision and evaluation, promoting a dynamic approach for addressing contextual differences as well as achieving better coherence among educational reform, supervision and evaluation policies. |
Institutionalisation in a newly created private university : Table of ContentsAbstract:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the introduction of a quality assurance system in a new, private university in Syria, and considers the extent to which the theoretical model based on institutional theory and isomorphism is reflected in practice. Design/methodology/approach A five year longitudinal study which reviews the design, implementation and embedding of a quality assurance system was undertaken. The approach reflects on the prevailing practice and adoption of quality assurance systems at key points throughout the existence of the institution. Findings The findings show that for any organisation or institution which is creating a new model, which is outside the conventional or prevailing models of the sector, there will be multiple challenges. Research limitations/implications The research was conducted during the many visits made throughout the period, but the changes witnessed to key staff at Kalamoon throughout the five years has impacted on the institutionalisation model, and generated both increased and reduced isomorphic responses from staff at various points in the study. Practical implications The paper is a useful source of information to any new organisation creating policies and processes which they hope will quickly become embedded within the organisational culture, especially in countries where strong state leadership has been the historical norm. Originality/value The paper reports on the first private university in Kalamoon, Syria, and the strategies adopted to deliver the quality assurance agenda. In addition, it uses the theoretical approach of institutionalization in a novel manner. |
Understanding quality assurance: a cross country case study : Table of ContentsAbstract:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of understanding between an Australian university and its offshore partner institution, on quality assurance. It attempts to highlight the dynamics of quality assurance policy implementation within and across institutions for an offshore degree. Design/methodology/approach The study used interviews as the research method to gather data from the Business school of a university that is a major exporter of higher education degrees and its offshore business partner, a business school of a private university college in Malaysia. Findings The findings show that gaps exist in the current practices of quality assurance measures in Malaysia. In addition, top-level management from both sides of the exchange believe that the university should bear the overall responsibility for quality assurance. However, the findings also reveal that such heavy reliance on the university for quality assurance might not be healthy, especially when the university's own policy implementation is suffering internal problems. Practical implications For governments and various agencies the insights in the paper will be useful in creating better policy. At an institutional level, the findings will assist in the formulation and implementation of such policies. Originality/value This paper will be useful to stakeholders in the offshore education industry. It provides an insight into the regulatory and auditing practices commissioned by the government and highlights the various gaps and challenges in quality assurance policy. |
The phases and paradoxes of educational quality assurance: The case of the Singapore education system : Table of ContentsAbstract:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight three important insights into educational quality assurance, using Singapore as a case study. It is useful to policy makers and practitioners to understand the phases and paradoxes in their educational quality assurance journey so that they may recognise and manage better the complex dynamics of quality assurance in education. Design/methodology/approach This paper utilises a phase model to analyse the development of quality assurance and the challenges and paradoxes involved. This phase model is a framework of analysis of the quality assurance dynamics of primary and secondary education in Singapore with the following phases: standardisation; local accountability; and diversity and innovation Findings The paper finds that: quality assurance develops in phases, each with its own characteristics and challenges; quality assurance changes the nature of education; quality assurance is a paradoxical journey. Practical implications The Singapore case study serves as a mirror to other developing countries in recognising and managing the delicate dynamics of quality assurance. Originality/value The paper illustrates the phase model of educational quality assurance in Singapore and the analysis of the delicate balancing act between conformity and diversity, and between standards and innovation. |