The challenges facing Sino‐UK transnational education: an institutional experience

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the current literature on transnational education (TNE) as a form of business relationship and reflects on the experience of a mid‐ranking post‐92 UN institution in developing and managing TNE programmes in China. It seeks to highlight the challenges encountered at the various stages of partnership development and evaluate the effectiveness of the practical measures taken.

Design/methodology/approach

The underpinning research employs a combination of longitudinal live case study tracing the history of three of the institution's TNE partnerships in China over the past ten years and action research involving the author both as the researcher and active participant.

Findings

This paper suggests that there is no set formula for initiating a Sino‐UK TNE partnership but personal connections and Chinese speaking staff would help to increase the chance of success. At the outset it is important to work out the precise form of partnership and its associated financial implications for both parties. Whilst cultural differences and differences in educational tradition, communication style and organisational practices are among the factors affecting the operation of a TNE partnership over its life‐cycle, changes in macro‐economic factors such as exchange rate can also lead to termination of a TNE project. Partners in a TNE relationship are therefore advised to develop an exit strategy in case things do not work out.

Originality/value

Based on the actual experiences of a real UK institution, the challenges identified in this paper are likely to be encountered by similar UK institutions operating in China and thus the solutions discussed may be adopted or adapted.

Citation

Zhuang, L. (2009), "The challenges facing Sino‐UK transnational education: an institutional experience", Journal of Knowledge-based Innovation in China, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 243-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/17561410910990601