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

Abstract

Purpose

This 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/approach

Structural 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.

Findings

The 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/value

International 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.

Citation

Oy Lar Kiki, C., Lau, Y.-y. and Chan, V.C.W. (2023), "Exploring international brand alliances between local and foreign higher education institutions: an empirical study of sub-degree students", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 186-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-06-2022-0221