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Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Eiman Negm

This study investigates the impact of universities' social marketing initiatives on students’ development of personal (altruistic, biospheric and egoistic) and social values…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of universities' social marketing initiatives on students’ development of personal (altruistic, biospheric and egoistic) and social values, leading to their pro-environmental behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies quantitative deductive research. This study examined the value-belief-norms (VBN) theory, adding social values to the framework. This study took place in Egypt from January 2023 to March 2023. The population of focus was college students (whether at public or private universities). Students were requested to fill out the questionnaire by scanning a quick-response (QR) code, which linked to a Google Form. After data collection, 410 questionnaires were analyzed using statistical package for social science.

Findings

This study developed empirical evidence that clarifies that social marketing initiatives done by universities have the power to develop students’ personal and social values. Values trigger behavior change. Social values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors; personal egoistic values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors; personal biospheric values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors and personal altruistic values does not lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors.

Originality/value

This study offers firsthand insight in understanding how social marketing is an effective tool to develop students’ values that are needed to inspire the right behaviors to preserve and protect the environment. This study builds upon the VBN theory, explaining the significant underlying environmental values that should be developed through universities’ non-academic initiatives (such as marketing activities) to inform behaviors needed to better the community, such as pro-environmental behaviors.

Details

Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-9819

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 May 2023

Tseng-Lung Huang, Henry F.L. Chung and Xiang Chen

The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of various levels of modality richness [text-visual, audiovisual and augmented reality interactive technology (ARIT)] on vivid…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of various levels of modality richness [text-visual, audiovisual and augmented reality interactive technology (ARIT)] on vivid memories (visual sensory detailed, emotionally intense, first-person perspective and coherent) and exploratory behavior. To clarify which modality richness online retailers use is more appropriate to create a virtual reality simulation experience to fill a significant gap in the sensory interactive marketing paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach

A task-based laboratory study was conducted to provide users with private try-on space. A total of 429 valid questionnaires were collected, and partial least squares path modeling was adopted to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that various levels of modality richness (text-visual, audiovisual and ARIT) positively affect vivid memories (visual sensory detailed, emotionally intense, first-person perspective and coherent), and vivid memories successfully induce exploratory behavior.

Practical implications

The study results could also help retailers and brands with clear guidance in designing and creating simulation experience services and choosing the best way to present products. With the results of this research, retailers will also be able to grasp better the critical points of introducing innovative technology into the service experience and then create the benefits of digital economic growth.

Originality/value

Exploring which digital interactive technology online retailers use is more appropriate to create a virtual reality shopping experience to fill a significant gap in the sensory interactive marketing paradigm. Exploring the antecedents of vivid memories in a digital sensory interactive experience contributes to the body schema literature and the script theory. We draw from construal level theory (CLT) to clarify the impact of various levels of modality richness on driving the difference in sensory simulation schema to break through the limited findings of previous studies, namely using CLT to interpret psychological distance.

Details

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 February 2024

Donia Waseem, Shijiao (Joseph) Chen, Zhenhua (Raymond) Xia, Nripendra P. Rana, Balkrushna Potdar and Khai Trieu Tran

In the online environment, consumers increasingly feel vulnerable due to firms’ expanding capabilities of collecting and using their data in an unsanctioned manner. Drawing from…

Abstract

Purpose

In the online environment, consumers increasingly feel vulnerable due to firms’ expanding capabilities of collecting and using their data in an unsanctioned manner. Drawing from gossip theory, this research focuses on two key suppressors of consumer vulnerability: transparency and control. Previous studies conceptualize transparency and control from rationalistic approaches that overlook individual experiences and present a unidimensional conceptualization. This research aims to understand how individuals interpret transparency and control concerning privacy vulnerability in the online environment. Additionally, it explores strategic approaches to communicating the value of transparency and control.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivism paradigm and phenomenology were adopted in the research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 41 participants, including consumers and experts, and analyzed through thematic analysis.

Findings

The findings identify key conceptual dimensions of transparency and control by adapting justice theory. They also reveal that firms can communicate assurance, functional, technical and social values of transparency and control to address consumer vulnerability.

Originality/value

This research makes the following contributions to the data privacy literature. The findings exhibit multidimensional and comprehensive conceptualizations of transparency and control, including user, firm and information perspectives. Additionally, the conceptual framework combines empirical insights from both experiencers and observers to offer an understanding of how transparency and control serve as justice mechanisms to effectively tackle the issue of unsanctioned transmission of personal information and subsequently address vulnerability. Lastly, the findings provide strategic approaches to communicating the value of transparency and control.

Details

Internet Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2024

Lunchao Mou, Li Cheng and Geoffrey Wall

This study assessed the antecedents and consequences of tourists’ authenticity experience in a new ancient town in China. Based on Chinese cultural background and case study, this…

129

Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed the antecedents and consequences of tourists’ authenticity experience in a new ancient town in China. Based on Chinese cultural background and case study, this paper aims to explore this kind of tourism place making and establishes an empirical model to examine and verify the impact of tourists’ perception, authentic experience and behavioral tendency on such place making, and proposes targeted improvement measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a Chinese cultural background and case study, this paper explored a certain kind of tourism place making and established an empirical model to examine and verify the impact of tourists’ perceptions, authentic experiences and behavioral tendencies on such place making; the goals were to try to create a new scale to measure the authenticity of the “new ancient town” in the Chinese context and to propose targeted measures for improvement.

Findings

Research shows that Chinese visitors acquire experiences that they perceive to be authentic when visiting a contrived attraction such as a new ancient town. The dimensions of cultural, functional, product, value and unique authenticity were identified as distinct dimensions of tourists’ authenticity experiences in a new ancient town. Although these dimensions have been mentioned at times in the context of traditional Western assessments of authenticity, they do not replicate exactly any category of Western objective authenticity, existential authenticity, constructive authenticity or postmodern authenticity. They instead constitute an authentic experiential dimension in a typical oriental context, which is comprehensively explicated by combining the image of a national cultural theme and the elements of functional construction created by tourist places in a new ancient town.

Research limitations/implications

This study explored the path relationship among perception of place making – authenticity experience – behavioral intention, but it did not analyze relationships among the dimensions of perception of place making or among the authenticity experience variables. Furthermore, advantage was not taken of the availability of socioeconomic information to look for differences among interviewees with different attributes. In addition, there is a profound cultural and complex theoretical connotation to authenticity in the Chinese context, and the study of a single case is insufficient to fully elucidate meaning in this emerging discourse.

Practical implications

By verifying the path of tourists’ authenticity experiences through the perception of place making, the understanding of the effects of different elements of place making on tourists’ experiences is refined. For space producers, different elements of place making promote tourists’ authenticity experiences to different degrees. Strengthening the construction of the physical environment, marketing and scenes can promote tourists’ authenticity experiences: planning and design, marketing and scene enhancements promote tourists’ functional authenticity experiences; planning and design, the physical environment and marketing enhance tourists’ product authenticity experiences; planning and design, marketing, the physical environment and scene enhancement can improve tourists’ perceptions of value; unique authenticity experiences can be created in the marketing and scenes in new ancient towns.

Social implications

Certain aspects of the space production in new ancient towns can be used to strengthen tourists’ perceptions of value. First, the scene system at scenic spots can be strengthened, catering to tourists’ visual, olfactory and other senses so that they are available in all kinds of weather. Second, the local cultural characteristics of the material environment can be strengthened and the installation of inappropriate cultural symbols can be avoided. Thus, a physical environment that is of local ethnic cultural significance can be created so that both local residents and tourists can perceive the value of the place. Third, the rational layout of the new ancient towns should be established and maintained through the ongoing involvement of professional planning and design teams. Local cultural attributes that are of national significance should be included in the layout and design of the physical environment. Fourth, daily marketing and management actions influence how tourists influence scene value. Therefore, managers of scenic places need to make prudent decisions about and integrate local folk and ethnic characteristics into their marketing, which can promote the sustainable development of tourism effectively (Saarinen, 2018).

Originality/value

First, this study constructed and validated the model and path relationship of the “perception of place making, authentic experience, and behavioral intention,” and it confirmed that the perception of place making had an important impact on tourists’ authentic experiences. Second, the exploratory factor analysis extracted five dimensions of the tourist authenticity experience (i.e. cultural, functional, unique, product and value authenticity) based on China’s context of ming shi, which enriched the connotations of the authenticity experience. Third, this study effectively linked the perception of place making with the real experience and behavioral intention of tourists and expanded the theoretical research boundary of place making to a certain extent.

设计/方法/途径

本文以中国文化背景和案例研究为基础, 对“新古镇”旅游的地方营造进行了探讨, 并建立了实证模型。利用SPSS 23.0和Smart PLS 3.0进行数据分析, 检验和验证游客在类似场所的地方营造感知、真实体验和行为意向的路径关系。

目的

以现代技术手段再造(创造)遗产旅游目的地已经成为一个全球性的现象。本文基于中国的文化背景和案例, 考察和验证了游客对地方营造的感知、真实性体验和行为意向的影响, 尝试创造一种新的尺度来衡量在中国语境下“新古镇”的真实性内涵, 并以此提出了针对性的改善措施。

研究发现

研究表明, 中国游客在参观新古镇等人造景点时, 会获得他们认为真实的体验。文化真实、功能真实、产品真实、价值真实和独特真实是新古镇游客真实性体验的不同维度。它们构成了一个典型东方语境下的真实性内涵, 全面阐述了一个民族文化主题形象与新古镇旅游地方营造功能建设要素的结合。

研究局限/启示

本研究探讨了地方营造知觉-真实性体验-行为意向之间的路径关系, 但未分析地方营造感知各维度之间及真实性体验变量之间的关系。此外, 没有利用社会经济信息的可用性来寻找不同属性受访者之间的差异。此外, 在中国语境中, 真实性有着深刻的文化内涵和复杂的理论内涵, 仅对单个案例的研究不足以充分阐明这一新兴话题的意义

实践意义

对于空间生产者来说, 加强物理环境、营销和场景的建设可以促进游客的真实体验:规划设计、营销和场景的增强可以促进游客的功能真实体验;规划设计、物质环境、营销提升游客的产品真实性体验;规划设计、营销、实体环境和场景提升可以提升游客的价值感知;在新古镇的营销和场景中应创造独特的真实性体验。

社会启示

新古镇地方营造的某些方面可以提升游客的价值感知。首先, 通过迎合游客的视觉、嗅觉和其他感官, 加强景区的场景系统。其次, 可以创造一个具有当地民族文化意义的物质环境, 使当地居民和游客都能感受到这个地方的价值。第三, 通过专业规划设计团队的持续参与, 建立和维护新古镇的合理布局。第四, 日常营销和管理行为影响游客的价值体验。

原创性/价值

首先, 本研究构建并验证了“地方营造感知、真实体验与行为意向”的模型和路径关系, 证实了地方营造感知对游客真实体验的重要影响。其次, 基于中国语境, EFA提取了旅游真实性体验的五个维度(文化真实、功能真实、独特真实、产品真实和价值真实), 丰富了真实性体验的内涵。第三, 本研究将游客的地方营造感知、真实体验和行为意向进行了有效地连接。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Basándose en un contexto cultural chino y en un estudio de caso, este artículo exploró la creación de lugares turísticos en la “nueva ciudad antigua” y estableció un modelo empírico. Se utilizaron SPSS 23.0 y Smart PLS 3.0 para el análisis de datos, con el fin de examinar y verificar la relación entre las percepciones de la creación de lugares, las experiencias auténticas y las intenciones de comportamiento de los turistas en dichos lugares.

Propósito

La recreación moderna de lugares como atracciones turísticas patrimoniales es un fenómeno mundial. Partiendo de un contexto cultural chino y de un estudio de caso, este artículo examina y verifica el impacto de las percepciones de los turistas, las experiencias auténticas y las tendencias de comportamiento en dicha creación de lugares; los objetivos eran intentar crear una nueva escala para medir la autenticidad de la “nueva ciudad antigua” en el contexto chino y proponer medidas específicas de mejora.

Hallazgos

La investigación muestra que los visitantes chinos adquieren experiencias que perciben como auténticas cuando visitan una atracción artificial como una nueva ciudad antigua. Las dimensiones de autenticidad cultural, funcional, de producto, de valor y única se identificaron como dimensiones distintas de las experiencias de autenticidad de los turistas en una nueva ciudad antigua. Éstas constituyen una auténtica dimensión experiencial en un contexto típicamente oriental, que se explica de forma exhaustiva combinando la imagen de un tema cultural nacional con los elementos de construcción funcional creados por los lugares turísticos de una nueva ciudad antigua.

Limitaciones de la investigación/implicaciones

Este estudio exploró la relación entre la percepción de la creación de lugares, la experiencia de autenticidad y la intención de comportamiento, pero no analizó las relaciones entre las dimensiones de la percepción de la creación de lugares, ni entre las variables de la experiencia de autenticidad. Además, no se aprovechó la disponibilidad de información socioeconómica para buscar diferencias entre entrevistados con distintos atributos. Adicionalmente, en el contexto chino, la autenticidad tiene profundas connotaciones culturales y teóricas complejas, y el estudio de un solo caso no basta para dilucidar plenamente la importancia de este tema emergente.

Implicaciones prácticas

Para los productores de espacios, reforzar la construcción del entorno físico, el marketing y las escenas puede promover las experiencias de autenticidad de los turistas: la planificación y el diseño, el marketing y la mejora de las escenas promueve las experiencias de autenticidad funcional de los turistas; la planificación y el diseño, el entorno físico y el marketing mejoran las experiencias de autenticidad de los productos de los turistas; la planificación y el diseño, el marketing, el entorno físico y la mejora de las escenas pueden mejorar la percepción de valor de los turistas; se pueden crear experiencias de autenticidad únicas en el marketing y las escenas de las nuevas ciudades antiguas.

Implicaciones sociales

Ciertos aspectos de la creación de lugares en las nuevas ciudades antiguas pueden mejorar la percepción de valor de los turistas. En primer lugar, puede reforzarse el sistema escénico de los lugares de interés, atendiendo a los sentidos visuales, olfativos y de otro tipo de los turistas. En segundo lugar, se puede crear un entorno físico que tenga un significado cultural étnico local para que tanto los residentes locales como los turistas puedan percibir el valor del lugar. En tercer lugar, el trazado racional de las nuevas ciudades antiguas debe establecerse y mantenerse mediante la participación continua de equipos profesionales de planificación y diseño. En cuarto lugar, las acciones diarias de marketing y gestión influyen en la experiencia de valor del turista.

Originalidad/valor

En primer lugar, este estudio construyó y validó el modelo y la relación entre la “percepción de la creación de lugares, la experiencia auténtica y la intención de comportamiento,” lo que confirmó la importante influencia de la percepción de la creación de lugares en la experiencia auténtica de los turistas. En segundo lugar, basándose en el contexto chino, el análisis factorial exploratorio extrajo cinco dimensiones de la experiencia de autenticidad turística (autenticidad cultural, funcional, única, del producto y del valor), que enriquecieron las connotaciones de la experiencia de autenticidad. En tercer lugar, este estudio vinculó eficazmente las percepciones de los turistas sobre la creación de lugares, con la experiencia real y con las intenciones de comportamiento de los turistas.

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2024

Zubair Ali Shahid, Muhammad Irfan Tariq, Justin Paul, Syed Ali Naqvi and Leonie Hallo

The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent and in what ways signaling theory has been explored within the field of international marketing. This paper systematically…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent and in what ways signaling theory has been explored within the field of international marketing. This paper systematically reviews the use of signaling theory in the field of international marketing. Communication is a core aspect of the international marketing process. Research in this field has explored effective and unique ways of improving the communication flow to reduce the asymmetry of information between international consumers and the firm. This notion is adopted, enhanced and strengthened by signaling theory. Signaling theory has recently received the attention of international marketing scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic review methodology was applied for the purpose of identifying the relevant studies. We extracted academic articles over the last 23 years from the domain of international marketing that directly contribute to signaling theory based on 57 journal articles extracted through the systematic review process.

Findings

Based on systematic research the results reveal that the topic has grown and continues to expand within the broader international marketing field. We offer a theoretical conceptual framework to better understand signaling theory in the context of international marketing.

Originality/value

The authors map and critically evaluate the use of signaling theory in international marketing. Relevance of signaling theory in international marketing is growing and authors present an integrative framework that organizes the existing literature, and provides scholars to further expand on emerging themes of the domain. The paper offers some useful future research directions.

Details

International Marketing Review, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-1335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2023

Jillian C. Sweeney, Pennie Frow, Adrian Payne and Janet R. McColl-Kennedy

The purpose of this study is to examine how servicescapes impact well-being and satisfaction of both hospital customers (patients) and health care professional service providers.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how servicescapes impact well-being and satisfaction of both hospital customers (patients) and health care professional service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates how a hospital servicescape impacts two critical outcomes – well-being and satisfaction – of both hospital patients (customers) and health care professionals, who are immersed in that environment.

Findings

The hospital servicescape had a greater impact on physical, psychological and existential well-being for professionals than for patients. However, the reverse was true for satisfaction. The new servicescape enhanced the satisfaction and physical and psychological well-being of professionals but only the satisfaction of customers.

Research limitations/implications

The study implications for health care policy suggest that investment in health care-built environments should balance the needs of health care professionals with those of customers to benefit their collective well-being and satisfaction.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, the authors propose that servicescape investments should focus on satisfying the physical needs of patients while also placing emphasis on the psychological needs of professionals.

Social implications

Health care spending on physical facilities should incorporate careful cost-benefit analysis, ensuring that beneficial features for both user groups are included in new hospital designs, omitting features that are less supportive of well-being.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to compare the impact of the same real-life servicescape on the satisfaction of both customers and service providers (professionals) and considers the critical health outcome of well-being.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 37 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 November 2023

Macarena Orgilés-Amorós, Felipe Ruiz Moreno, Gabriel I. Penagos-Londoño and Maria Tabuenca-Cuevas

In recent decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have increasingly adopted marketing-oriented approaches. While the adoption of marketing was slower in Europe and Spain, it…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have increasingly adopted marketing-oriented approaches. While the adoption of marketing was slower in Europe and Spain, it has become a vital tool for HEIs, both to stay competitive in a changing socio-economic context and to face the challenges posed by the transition to the University 2.0 model. This study aims to analyse the historical evolution of communication techniques used by universities, bringing into focus the relevance of social networks in the most recent decades.

Design/methodology/approach

This research methodology consists of two components. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis of the available data is conducted to investigate the earliest marketing and communication actions involving universities, as well as their evolution over time, contextualizing this within the significant shifts in the social, political and technological background. Secondly, a specific focus is placed on the contribution of social media, particularly Twitter, as a powerful tool in creating a university brand and effectively promoting educational institutions, especially during the last stage of this historical evolution. To identify and analyse these trends, Natural Language Processing is used, specifically by leveraging topic modelling techniques.

Findings

The results of this analysis offer insights into the evolution of marketing communication applied by Spanish universities and show the increasing importance of social networks and the use of specific topics and contents to enhance their impact on engagement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by using a novel methodological approach to the research on the historical development of communication in universities in Spain, providing guidance to manage their social media strategy to differentiate themselves, increase engagement and foster brand loyalty.

Details

Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-750X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Davood Ghorbanzadeh, Atena Rahehagh and Mohammad Najarzadeh

A university’s brand is a key competitive advantage in higher education (HE). This study examines the university's reputation’s intermediary impact on core services (emotional…

Abstract

Purpose

A university’s brand is a key competitive advantage in higher education (HE). This study examines the university's reputation’s intermediary impact on core services (emotional environment, perceived faculty and course suitability) and brand loyalty in private universities in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method was used to achieve research objectives. The data collected from students enrolled in major private universities in the capital of Iran were analyzed to test the proposed model, both directly and indirectly, using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The findings confirmed all of the hypothesized relationships. Prominently, the core service construct (emotional environment, perceived faculty and course suitability) was found to be significantly affecting the university brand reputation. The study found evidence for the impact of university reputation on students' loyalty. Findings also indicated the presence of several indirect relationships among the considered dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

Current research offers implications for universities that are met with the perpetual challenge of survival in the competitive HE marketplace. Findings from the study not only help build theory on university brand loyalty but also make an essential contribution towards guiding managers in developing effective strategies by building reputation and loyalty by concentrating on the most crucial determinants.

Originality/value

Although research in HE marketing is growing, the effects of university core services on building loyalty have not garnered attention, which is theoretically a vital construct. The paper presents a new framework to realize university brand loyalty with the help of integrated relationships among select dimensions in the setting of an emerging HE market.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2023

Eiman Negm

This study aims to examine how higher education can mold pro-environmental actions among students with educational social-marketing leads; it probes into the direct influence of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how higher education can mold pro-environmental actions among students with educational social-marketing leads; it probes into the direct influence of four value orientations toward pro-environmental beliefs, norms and behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative research sought deductive reasoning. Data gathering took place in January 2023, following a cross-sectional framework. The researcher visited various private universities in Egypt, which used effort to change the practices among students toward sustainable developments, distributing digitally administrated questionnaires to students on campus. Through convenience nonprobability sampling, 581 questionnaires were collected and statistically analyzed, using SPSS.

Findings

This study shows that altruistic and biospheric value impact students’ personal beliefs toward pro-environmental behaviors; students’ personal beliefs significantly impact the norms that are present on campus; the norms found on campus impact significantly students to behave as green passengers, recyclers and utility-savers.

Practical implications

Higher education institutions play a significant role in promoting the manifestations of rationality and objectivity among students about environmental challenges and sustainable development. Eco-friendly behaviors are rooted in values; thus, understanding the initial values among students is critical in developing coping strategies and social marketing initiatives that inspire the needed conservational behaviors.

Originality/value

By aligning the value-belief-norm theory with two disciplines (higher education on sustainability and social marketing), this study builds upon the theory, identifying the underlying value-structures that inspire students’ necessary environmental and sustainable behaviors to improve societies for future generation rightness. This study provides more nuanced insights into a better educational intervention for shaping students’ manners toward environmentalism to improve communities worldwide.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Ismail Juma Ismail

The current research aims at investigating the mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on the link between entrepreneurial education and choice of the university among…

Abstract

Purpose

The current research aims at investigating the mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on the link between entrepreneurial education and choice of the university among students. The main focus of this paper is that when entrepreneurial education is properly-implemented at universities, it leads to several positive outcomes such as positive eWOM. Therefore, if the entrepreneurial education is used as a marketing model, it can be considered as the innovative model for attracting more students. By implementing this model, the university can enhance its approach to cultivating a positive image, potentially leading to increased student enrollments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 483 undergraduate students in different universities. As well, it used a structured questionnaire during the data collection. Additionally, the study used partial least squares (PLS-SEM) in analyzing direct and indirect relationships.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that entrepreneurial education and eWOM are critical factors for student selection to the universities. This is because eWOM significant mediates the link between entrepreneurial education and university choice.

Research limitations/implications

This study used cross-sectional design. Therefore, future research can use a longitudinal design in examining the link between independent and dependent variables so as to look into the changes over time.

Practical implications

The study presents potential strategies that universities can employ to market their programs more effectively. By strengthening their entrepreneurial education initiatives, universities can enhance their reputation and create positive eWOM, which can lead to higher enrollments.

Originality/value

This study offers innovative marketing approaches for universities and their programs. Instead of heavily investing in advertising, the study suggests that strengthening entrepreneurial education initiatives can be a more effective marketing strategy. The findings suggest that a positive reputation generated by strong entrepreneurial education initiatives can lead to positive eWOM, which, in turn, influences university selection. Therefore, universities can consider enhancing their entrepreneurial education offerings to attract more prospective students. The study also highlights the notion that quality speaks for itself, while a lack of quality requires advertising.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

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