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1 – 10 of over 2000Hoang Viet Nguyen, Tuan Duong Vu, Muhammad Saleem and Asif Yaseen
Improving service quality, student satisfaction and student loyalty is important to higher education institutions’ sustainable growth. The objectives of this study are a twofold…
Abstract
Purpose
Improving service quality, student satisfaction and student loyalty is important to higher education institutions’ sustainable growth. The objectives of this study are a twofold: first, the study seeks to determine the dimensions of higher education service quality with a specific focus on Vietnam. Second, it examines how the service quality dimensions impact student satisfaction and student loyalty, with the moderating role of the university image.
Design/methodology/approach
This study followed a rigorous procedure, including interviews, a survey, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis to identify higher education service quality dimensions and their measures. After that, using the data obtained from 1,550 university students in Vietnam, confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the identified dimensions and structural equation modeling was used to test a proposed model explaining the outcomes of higher education service quality.
Findings
The findings reveal five dimensions of higher education service quality: academic aspect, nonacademic aspect, programming issues, facilities and industry interaction. Most of these factors have a positive influence on student satisfaction. In addition, the university image moderates the positive relationship between student satisfaction and student loyalty.
Practical implications
This study’s findings highlight the complexity of service quality in the higher education context and encourage higher education institutions to improve their service quality in image to enhance student satisfaction and loyalty.
Originality/value
This study suggests a unique measure of higher education service quality dimensions and provides fresh insights into how they impact student satisfaction and loyalty in Vietnam.
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Shahrokh Nikou and Ilia Maslov
Students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes is a vital component in determining the adoption of e-learning systems. Understanding the antecedent factors impacting students'…
Abstract
Purpose
Students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes is a vital component in determining the adoption of e-learning systems. Understanding the antecedent factors impacting students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes helps decision-makers at the higher education to take the necessary actions to enhance the quality of students' performance, especially during the exceptional times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to determine and analyse the antecedent factors influencing students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes during the pandemic. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to analysis a proposed research model.
Findings
The SEM results show that digital communities in e-learning, information technology (quality and accessibility) and the online course design quality directly influence students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes. More interestingly, results show that the COVID-19-related factors (1) awareness of the COVID-19, (2) perceived challenges (negatively) and (3) the educational institutions' preparedness also influence e-learning outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
The results suggest that the decision-makers at the educational institutions should consider adopting a blended learning system approach to deliver e-learning during the emergency, such as the COVID-19 outbreak situation.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies in higher education context, which seek to identify the antecedent factors that influence students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ruth Annette Smith, Andrea White-McNeil and Faizan Ali
The purpose of this paper is to determine the students’ perceptions of an on-campus foodservice operation at an identified historically black college and university (HBCU) and its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the students’ perceptions of an on-campus foodservice operation at an identified historically black college and university (HBCU) and its effect on their satisfaction and dining frequency.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 685 students was conducted to collect data. Partial least squares based structural equation modeling is used to test the proposed structural model with SmartPLS 3.0.
Findings
Results confirm that quality of food, ambience, value for money, food and beverage options and service quality have a positively significant impact on students’ overall satisfaction with the on-campus foodservice operation and dining frequency. As such, all the hypotheses are supported.
Research limitations/implications
These findings indicate that on-campus foodservice operators should focus on quality of food, ambience, value for money, food and beverage options and service quality to achieve student satisfaction. This in turn could positively impact the institution’s reputation, student retention and the marketability of the institution to future students.
Originality/value
This study would help on-campus foodservice operators to better understand the impact of the various elements of foodservice experience which will lead to students’ overall satisfaction and dining frequency, particularly in a HBCU setting.
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Pushkar Dubey and Kailash Kumar Sahu
Students' perception towards learning technologies in the disruptive times like coronavirus disease (2019) COVID-19 is what the educational institutes are striving to know so that…
Abstract
Purpose
Students' perception towards learning technologies in the disruptive times like coronavirus disease (2019) COVID-19 is what the educational institutes are striving to know so that the educational institutes could provide the best learning experiences to students. The present study attempts to identify the technology-enhanced learning (TEL) factors (i.e. informational quality, compatibility, resource availability, self-efficacy, subjective norms, subject interest and informational quality) with the mediation effect of perceived benefits on student satisfaction to TEL amongst non-technical students of different college/universities at Chhattisgarh state.
Design/methodology/approach
Purposive sampling technique with “criterion variable” was applied to collect responses from 600 participants. Students, who are enrolled in non-technical courses at different colleges/universities, were participated in the present study. The data collection process was completed during April–November 2019.
Findings
The results revealed that perceived benefits to TEL were significantly and positively mediated between all the TEL factors (i.e. information quality, compatibility, resource availability, self-efficacy, subjective norms, subject interest and institutional branding) and student satisfaction to TEL.
Originality/value
The present study itself is a novel study by taking TEL factors such as informational quality, compatibility, resource availability, self-efficacy, subjective norms, subject interest and institutional branding by considering perceived benefits as mediator to examine the influence on student satisfaction to TEL.
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Sulaimon Adewale and Muyideen Babatunde Tahir
The onus of this study was to find out the role played by virtual learning environment factors on students' satisfaction during the COVID-19 period in Nigeria. A survey was…
Abstract
Purpose
The onus of this study was to find out the role played by virtual learning environment factors on students' satisfaction during the COVID-19 period in Nigeria. A survey was carried out on students in higher education institutions in Nigeria to actualize this purpose.
Design/methodology/approach
Simple random sampling techniques with the aid of Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) sample determinant and the Snowball sampling technique were adopted to sample 270 students in higher education institutions in Nigeria. An adapted questionnaire was used. Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated for the two sections of the independent and dependent variables. Virtual learning environment factors yielded 0.89, while students' satisfaction yielded 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product–moment correlation, two-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis.
Findings
The results of the ANOVA, F (df 4, 265) = 50.905, p < 0.000, indicate a statistically significant relationship (stronger than 0.05) between the independent variables (virtual learning environment factors) and the dependent variable (students' satisfaction). It was found among others that instructors' support and collaboration factors predicted students' satisfaction with virtual learning experiences during the COVID-19 period.
Originality/value
Virtual learning during COVID-19 caught both lecturers and students unprepared. Most developing countries especially Africans were used to the traditional face-to-face learning, more so, the use of virtual means to learn was still at a nascent stage. This study, therefore, contributed to the role of the learning environment in virtual learning satisfaction.
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Linda Gabbianelli and Tonino Pencarelli
Based on the main studies presented in the literature, this work aims to examine the level of student satisfaction towards the on-campus accommodation service provided by an…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the main studies presented in the literature, this work aims to examine the level of student satisfaction towards the on-campus accommodation service provided by an Italian university. Notably, the objectives of the study are twofold: (1) to examine the mediating role of student satisfaction on the relationship between university on-campus accommodation service quality and word-of-mouth and (2) to determine whether there is any significant difference in students' satisfaction towards on-campus accommodation in terms of gender and the halls of residence.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on the results of a survey carried out through an online questionnaire by 381 students living on campus at the University of Urbino.
Findings
The findings revealed that the quality perceived by university students in relation to individual services had a positive impact on their general satisfaction towards the halls of residence experience.
Research limitations/implications
The study presents some limitations such as lack of temporal comparisons, a focus on specific service quality items and the fact that it refers to a single Italian university.
Practical implications
The findings of this study will help the management of public universities to improve the quality of services in their halls of residence for the satisfaction of their students.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous studies about on-campus accommodation service quality conducted in Italy. The study contributes to enrich the service quality literature, confirming both that the sum of the quality of individual elements is not as the overall satisfaction and the outcome intention of positive WOM depends not only on service quality attributes, but also from an overall evaluation of satisfaction.
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M. Sadiq Sohail and Mehedi Hasan
The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of service quality on student’s satisfaction.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of service quality on student’s satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Using empirical research, the study identified previously validated scales of service quality and student satisfaction. Using the SERVPERF scale, data were collected from 279 students studying in public and private universities across Saudi Arabia. The model fit of the scale was assessed to ensure that the data produced accurate outcomes. Structural equation modelling was used to test the effects of independent variables on dependent variables.
Findings
The results suggest that four of the five dimensions of service quality, namely, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness and assurance had a significant effect on students’ satisfaction. Empathy was not found to contribute to student satisfaction. The findings broaden and deepen our understanding of how the dimensions of service quality reinforce students’ satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can also incorporate in the model other variables, academic and non-academic, related to student satisfaction.
Practical implications
The results have useful implications for decision-makers in higher education institutions who strive to enhance students’ satisfaction and increase the quality of higher education programmes, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in general.
Originality/value
This study uses the SERVPERF scale, which is empirically superior to the SERVQUAL scale for measuring student satisfaction.
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Kumudini Sriyalatha Mallika Appuhamilage and Hiroshi Torii
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the image of the university, environment, facilities, student expectations, internationalization, services, financial support and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the image of the university, environment, facilities, student expectations, internationalization, services, financial support and perceived value have direct effect on the satisfaction and loyalty of the students of social sciences at Meijo (Private) University, Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyze the data, a confirmatory factor analysis was applied where it explored the associations between items and constructs and, then, utilized structural equation model (SEM) to investigate the relationships existing between constructs with the application of the R program. A structured questionnaire comprising of 52 questions were used with 10 constructs. A total of 257 students from Meijo (private) university filled in the newly developed questionnaires using seven items Likert scales.
Findings
The study reveals a valuable insight on student satisfaction and loyalty toward the university. According to the findings, satisfaction has a positive direct impact from services and financial support provided by the university. And also loyalty has a positive strong impact on student satisfaction. On the contrary, satisfaction reveals a positive strong direct impact on loyalty too. Furthermore, there is an indirect impact of image, services and perceived value on loyalty. All the goodness of fit indices are at acceptable levels. Thus, the satisfaction of students seems to reflect quite well from the above construct, image, services, financial support and perceived values.
Research limitations/implications
This study collected data from two faculties, Faculty of Business Management and Faculty of Economics. The results of this finding cannot be generalized to the entire Meijo university student as a whole.
Originality/value
This study successfully applied an SEM to identify the relationship among constructs. Thus, this research has hopefully opened up avenues for other researchers to carry out such behavioral studies with larger sample sizes by applying R program with SEM analysis.
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Latifah Abdol Latif, Ramli Bahroom and Mohamad Afzhan Khan Mohamad Khalil
The purpose of this paper is to identify the “selling points” for Open University Malaysia (OUM) to be used in its marketing activities and the “critical points” that OUM should…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the “selling points” for Open University Malaysia (OUM) to be used in its marketing activities and the “critical points” that OUM should focus on for further improvements in providing its services to its students. These selling and critical points are derived from the analysis of the importance and satisfaction data collected from OUM’s postgraduate students.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a two-dimensional, i.e., Importance-Satisfaction Survey which consists of 47 items, categorized under eight dimensions. Items are phrased as positive statements and students are asked to indicate how important it is to them using a seven-point Likert scale ranging from not at all important (1) to very important (7). They are then asked to rate their level of satisfaction, using the same scale from very dissatisfied (1) to very satisfied (7). A total of 709 postgraduate students responses were used in this study. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to explain the relationship between the dependent variable, overall satisfaction and eight independent variables. The “selling points” and “critical points” are determined by combining the quadrant and gap analyses. The “selling point” items are the high-importance-high-satisfaction (HIHS) items with relatively small gap scores while the “critical points” are those in the high-importance-low-satisfaction and HIHS quadrants with relatively large gap scores.
Findings
The overall results of the Importance-Satisfaction Survey showed that the postgraduate students are generally satisfied with OUM’s programmes and services. The multiple regression analysis of all dimensions against overall satisfaction as the dependent variable showed that the five dimensions of facilitator, curriculum, faculty, support services and learning centre account for 75.7 per cent of the variation in overall satisfaction. The selling points include: the learning management system (MyVLE), online registration, course contents, modules and facilitators. The critical points include those related to facilitator interaction and feedback, students’ sense of connectedness with the faculty staff, timely responses to enquiries and complaints and accessibility to digital library and learning centre staff.
Practical implications
Importance-Satisfaction Surveys can be used to help an institution to identify the services and facilities that can be marketed and also those that need to be improved in order to better meet its students’ expectations.
Originality/value
While many similar studies had been conducted elsewhere, this study had identified the “selling points” and “critical points” which are unique to OUM. In addition, most previous studies were focused on conventional institutions, carried out in many different countries with differing learning environments and cultures.
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Nasser Fathi Easa and Ayman Mahmoud Bazzi
This paper aims to examine the moderated mediation effect of the lack of students’ socialization (as one of the COVID-19 consequences) and the university reputation on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the moderated mediation effect of the lack of students’ socialization (as one of the COVID-19 consequences) and the university reputation on the relationship between the service innovation and students satisfaction. The relationship between students satisfaction and their loyalty is also examined.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a quantitative research approach, whereas the study population consists of all universities’ students in Lebanon. Data were collected from 201 students, elected depending on snowballing sample technique. A questionnaire was used to gather data, whereby partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to check the proposed scales validity and the relationships between the study variables.
Findings
The findings reveal a significant direct effect for university’s service innovation on students satisfaction and an indirect effect through the mediation role for university reputation. Moreover, an evidence for weak negative significant effect for lack of socialization on students satisfaction exists. Whereby, lack of socialization does not moderate the relationship between university service innovation and students satisfaction. Finally, students satisfaction has a significant positive effect on their loyalty.
Originality/value
This paper advances the service innovation literature in the higher education sector. In addition, the paper might be the first paper to address the influence of lack of socialization as one of the COVID-19 consequences on students satisfaction. Furthermore, areas for future research are suggested.
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