Empowerment of basic service quality in private higher education institutions in Malaysia
Vol 8, Issue 8, 2024
VIEWS - 130 (Abstract) 75 (PDF)
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the exogenous variables (administrative support, career placement & employability, academic staff support, institutional factors, and information systems) as service delivery quality dimensions with satisfaction and moderating variable (academic and social integration) between endogenous variables (satisfaction and retention) among undergraduate students from Malaysian private higher education institutions. In order to accomplish the objectives proposed with hypotheses, a model reflecting the relationship between service delivery quality dimensions and satisfaction moderated by academic and social integration towards retention is applied. This empirical study focused on probability-stratified random sampling with a final sample size of 309 students. This study achieved statistically significant positive results by emphasizing academic and social integration as a moderating variable to achieve student retention by linking Perceived Performance Theory and Tinto’s Interactionist Theory from satisfaction to retention. Evaluation of the structural model on the coefficient of determination for the model’s predictive accuracy in this study produced an R2 = 0.85 for satisfaction, suggesting nearly 85% of the variance in endogenous latent construct satisfaction is explained by all the service delivery quality dimensions linked to it. As for retention produced R2 = 0.74, suggesting nearly 74% of the variance in endogenous latent construct retention is explained by all the service delivery quality dimensions linked together with satisfaction and academic and social integration as moderator. The model has a substantial effect with 0.76 in the Goodness-of-Fit index, indicating that the model has better explaining power.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abdullah, F. (2005). HEdPERF versus SERVPERF. Quality Assurance in Education, 13(4), 305–328. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880510626584
Abdullah, F. (2005). The development of HEdPERF: a new measuring instrument of service quality for the higher education sector. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 30(6), 569–581. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2005.00480.x
Abdullah, F. (2006). Measuring service quality in higher education: HEdPERF versus SERVPERF. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 24(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634500610641543
Al-Alak, B., & Alnaser, A. S. M. (2012). Assessing the relationship between higher education service quality dimensions and student satisfaction. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 6(1), 156–164.
Anim, S. K., & Mensah, J. (2015). Service quality in higher education: a comparative study in tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa. Global Journal of Educational Studies, 1(2), 24–44.
Beard, J. B. (2011). Identifying predictors of social functioning in college students: a meta-analysis. Available online: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/etd/89/ (accessed on 11 January 2020).
Bergamo, F., Giuliani, A., Camargo, S., et al. (2012). Student loyalty based on relationship quality: an analysis on higher education institutions. Brazilian Business Review, 9(2), 26–46. https://doi.org/10.15728/bbr.2012.9.2.2
Bose, T. K., & Sarker, S. (2012). Cognitive Dissonance Affecting Consumer Buying Decision Making: A study Based on Khulna Metropolitan Area. Journal of Management Research, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.5296/jmr.v4i3.1847
Braxton, J. M., Hirschy, A. S., & McClendon, S. A. (2004). Understanding and reducing college student departure. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Research Report Series, 30(3), 1–128.
Brewer, A., & Zhao, J. (2010). The impact of a pathway college on reputation and brand awareness for its affiliated university in Sydney. International Journal of Educational Management, 24(1), 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513541011013033
Caison, A. L. (2006). Analysis of institutionally specific retention research: A Comparison Between Survey and Institutional Database Methods. Research in Higher Education, 48(4), 435–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-006-9032-5
Čater, B., & Čater, T. (2009). Relationship‐value‐based antecedents of customer satisfaction and loyalty in manufacturing. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 24(8), 585–597. https://doi.org/10.1108/08858620910999457
Chin Wei, C., & Sri Ramalu, S. (2011). Students Satisfaction towards the University: Does Service Quality Matters? International Journal of Education, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v3i2.1065
Chin, W. W. (1998). Issues and opinion on structural equation modeling. MIS Quarterly, 22, 1–12.
Churchill, G. A. (1979). A Paradigm for Developing Better Measures of Marketing Constructs. Journal of Marketing Research, 16(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224377901600110
Churchill, G. A., & Surprenant, C. (1982). An Investigation into the Determinants of Customer Satisfaction. Journal of Marketing Research, 19(4), 491–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378201900410
Churchill, G. A., Iacobucci, D., & Israel, D. (2009). Marketing Research: A South Asian Perspective. Cengage Learning, India.
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for Behavioral Sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. New Jersey.
Cohen, J. (1992). Statistical Power Analysis. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 1(3), 98–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.ep10768783
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrrison, K. (2000). Research Methods in Education. Routledge, London.
Cooper, D. R., Schlindler, P. S. (2010). Business Research Methods. Tata McGraw-Hill, India.
Corts, D. P., Lounsbury, J. W., Saudargas, R. A., et al. (2000). Assessing undergraduate satisfaction with an academic department: A method and case study. College Student Journal, 34(3), 399–410.
Costanzo, P. J. (2012). Revisiting cognitive dissonance theory: pre-decisional influences and the relationship to the consumer decision-making model. Atlantic Marketing Association. pp. 44–51.
Crockett, S. A., & Hays, D. G. (2011). Understanding and Responding to the Career Counseling Needs of International College Students on U.S. Campuses. Journal of College Counseling, 14(1), 65–79. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1882.2011.tb00064.x
Dado, J., Taborecka-Petrovicova, J., Cuzovic, S., et al. (2012). An empirical examination of the relationships between service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions in higher education setting. Serbian Journal of Management, 7(2), 203–218. https://doi.org/10.5937/sjm7-1245
Danjuma, I., & Rasli A. (2012). Service quality, satisfaction and attachment in higher education institutions: a theory of planned behaviour perspective. International Journal of Academic Research, 4(2), 96–103.
Davidson, W. B., Beck, H. P., & Milligan, M. (2009). The College Persistence Questionnaire: Development and Validation of an Instrument That Predicts Student Attrition. Journal of College Student Development, 50(4), 373–390. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.0.0079
Delice, A. (2010). The sampling issues in quantitative research. Educational Science: Theory & Practice, 10(4), 2001–2018.
de Jager, J., & Gbadamosi, G. (2009). Specific remedy for specific problem: measuring service quality in South African higher education. Higher Education, 60(3), 251–267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-009-9298-6
Dias, S. B., Diniz, J. A., & Hadjileontiadis, L. J. (2014). Towards an Intelligent Learning Management System Under Blended Learning. In Intelligent Systems Reference Library. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02078-5
Eraghi, G. F., Atharinejad, S. E. Y. (2012). A new approach based on total quality management (TQM) for improving academic libraries qualities services. International Journal of Natural and Engineering Sciences, 6(2), 33–38.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Gandhi, M., & Saini, P. (2013). Service quality & loyalty in mobile telephony services. Golden Research Thoughts, 2(7), 1–10.
Ganesh, R., & Haslinda, A. (2014). Evolution and conceptual development of service quality in service marketing and customer satisfaction. International Review of Management and Business Research, 3(2), 1189–1197.
Ganesh, R., & Haslinda, A. (2019). Evaluation of students’ satisfaction with perceived performance value projection in Malaysian private higher education institutions. International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 10(3), 266. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijsem.2019.103183
Garvin, D. A. (1987). Competing on the eight dimensions of quality. Harvard Business Review, 101–109.
Gavala, J. R., & Flett, R. (2005). Influential factors moderating academic enjoyment/ motivation and psychological well-being for Maori university students at Massey university. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 34(1), 52–57.
Geisser, S. (1975). The Predictive Sample Reuse Method with Applications. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 70(350), 320–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1975.10479865
Gerber, C., Mans-Kemp, N., & Schlechter, A. (2013). Investigating the moderating effect of students engagement on academic performance”. Acta Academica, 45(4), 256–274.
Goh, J. H., Goh, Y. N., & Ramayah, T. (2017). Student satisfaction and loyalty in Malaysia private higher education institutions. Global Business and Management Research: An International Journal, 9(4), 315–327.
Goi, M. T. (2013). Brand identity, brand equity, and performance. World Review of Business Research, 3(4), 53–60.
Govindarajo, N. S., & Kumar, D. (2012). How to combat attrition? Case study on a Malaysian educational Institution. International Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences, 2(8), 24–32.
Greenbank, P. (2012). Career decision-making by business school students: a British case study. International Journal of Management, 29(4), 543–553.
Habley, W. R. (2004). The status of academic advising: findings from the ACT sixth national survey. National Academic Advising Association, 10, 14–26.
Hagedorn, L. S. (2005). How to define retention: a new look at an old problem. The Transfer and Retention of Urban Community College Student Project. pp. 1–26.
Hamza, V. K., & Zakkariya, K. A. (2012). Determinants of cognitive dissonance and its relative importance to consumer product purchase. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Management Studies, 2(1), 157–168.
Hatos, A., & Zoltan, G. (2011). Student persistence in higher education: a literature review. Higher Education for Social Cohesion-Cooperative Research and Development in A Cross-Border Area. pp. 253–259.
Henseler, J., & Sarstedt, M. (2012). Goodness-of-fit indices for partial least squares path modeling. Computational Statistics, 28(2), 565–580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00180-012-0317-1
Henseler, J., Ringle, C.M. & Sinkovics, R.R. (2009). The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. Advances in International Marketing (AIM), 20, 277–320. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-7979(2009)0000020014
Hsu, M., & Bailey, A. (2011). Retention in business education: understanding business student perceptions of academic advising a college life. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(21), 33–41.
Hung, C. J., Chang, H. H., Eng, C. J., et al. (2013). Service Quality and Perceived Value of Technology-Based Service Encounters: Evaluation of Clinical Staff Satisfaction in Taiwan. Health Information Management Journal, 42(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/183335831304200104
Ismail, Z., Shokor, S. S., Manaf, N. A., et al. (2018). Exploring the effects of fun elements on student satisfaction. Global Business and Management Research: An International Journal, 10(3), 616–625.
Jiang, P., & Rosenbloom, B. (2005). Customer intention to return online: price perception, attribute‐level performance, and satisfaction unfolding over time. European Journal of Marketing, 39(1/2), 150–174. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560510572061
Johnston, R. (1995). The determinants of service quality: satisfiers and dissatisfiers. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 6(5), 53–71. https://doi.org/10.1108/09564239510101536
Jr. Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., et al. (2014). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. SAGE Publication.
Kanwar, A., & Sanjeeva, M. (2022). Student satisfaction survey: a key for quality improvement in the higher education institution. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-022-00196-6
Kausar, R. (2010). Perceived stress, academic workloads and use of coping strategies by university students. Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 20, 31–45.
Kayabasi, A., Celik, B., & Buyukarslan, A. (2013). The analysis of the relationship among perceived electronic service quality, total service quality and total satisfaction in banking sector. International Journal of Human Sciences, 10(2), 304–325.
Korkmaz, I. (2007). Teachers’ Opinions about the responsibilities of parents, schools, and teachers in enhancing students learning. Education, 127(3), 389–399.
Kotler, P., & Fox, K. (1995). Strategic Marketing for Educational Institutions, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Krishna, G., Estelle, D. (2023). Experience and satisfaction: Exploring students’ perceptions of private and public higher education services. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 21(2), 371–382. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.21(2).2023.36
Kunanusorn, A., & Puttawong, D. (2015). The mediating effect of satisfaction on student loyalty to higher education institution. European Scientific Journal. 449–463.
Lai, M. M., Lou S. H., Yusof, N. A. M., et al. (2011). Perceived factors and value by undergraduates on private university education. International Conference on Innovation, Management and Service, 14, 34–38.
Lankton, N., & McKnight, H. (2012). Examining Two Expectation Disconfirmation Theory Models: Assimilation and Asymmetry Effects. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 13(2), 88–115. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00285
Lawson, A., Leach, M., & Burrows, S. (2012). The implications for learners, teachers and institutions of using student satisfaction as a measure of success: a review of the literature. Education Journal, 138, 7–11.
Lee, H. S. (2013). Major Moderators Influencing the Relationships of Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty. Asian Social Science, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n2p1
Lee, Y. T., & Ryu, S. K. (2013). A study on the Effect of Educational Information System on Internal Factors of School Organization. Applied Mathematics & Information Sciences, 7(6), 2279–2283. https://doi.org/10.12785/amis/070618
Lin, L. (1997). What are students’ education and educational related needs? Marketing Research Today, 25(3), 199–212.
Ling, K. C., Piew, T. H., & Chai, L. T. (2010). The input model of education quality on the overall students’ perceived service quality. Canadian Social Science, 6(2), 125–144.
Long, C. S., Ibrahim, Z., & Kowang, T. O. (2013). An Analysis on the Relationship between Lecturers’ Competencies and Students’ Satisfaction. International Education Studies, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v7n1p37
McCarthy, R., & Petrausch, R. (2008). Internships That Make a Difference: Two Campuses Continuous Internship Improvement Experience. American Journal of Business Education (AJBE), 1(2), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.19030/ajbe.v1i2.4626
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2023). National Education Statistic: Higher Education Sector2022 Report. Available online: https://www.mohe.gov.my/en/downloads/statistics/2022-3 (accessed on 7 July 2024).
Neuville, S., Frenay, M., Schmitz, J., et al. (2007). Tinto’s Theoretical Perspective and Expectancy-Value Paradigm: A confrontation to explain freshmen’s academic achievement. Psychologica Belgica, 47(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb-47-1–31
Nurita J., Samah A. A., & Shaharuddin, Y. (2004). Perceived employability skills of graduating students: implications for SMEs. Unitar E-Journal, 4(1), 47–58.
Olena D., Ralph S., Susan B., et al. (2023). Knowledge creation, knowledge impact and knowledge diffusion: how do they connect with higher education. Knowledge and Performance Management, 7(1), 91–103. https://doi.org/10.21511/kpm.07(1).2023.07
Oliver, R. L. (1996). Satisfaction: A behavioral perspective on consumer. Prentice Hall, New York.
Padlee, S. F., Kamaruddin, A. R., & Baharun, R. (2010). International Students’ Choice Behavior for Higher Education at Malaysian Private Universities. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v2n2p202
Pallant, J. (2010). SPSS Survival Manual. Allen & Unwin, New South Wales, Australia.
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. L. (1985). A Conceptual Model of Service Quality and Its Implications for Future Research. Journal of Marketing, 49(4), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224298504900403
Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (1979). Interaction Effects in Spady and Tinto’s Conceptual Models of College Attrition. Sociology of Education, 52(4), 197. https://doi.org/10.2307/2112401
Pougatchev. V. & Kulkarni. A. (2011). Technical aspects of the integrated management information system for educational institutions. International Journal of Systems Applications, Engineering & Development, 5, 570–583.
Raghavan, S., & Ganesh, R. (2015). Addressing service quality to increase students’ satisfaction and retention in Malaysian private higher education institutions. American Journal of Economics, 5(2), 243–250.
Rahman, M. S., Khan, A. H., & Md. Haque, M. (2012). A Conceptual Study on the Relationship between Service Quality towards Customer Satisfaction: Servqual and Gronroos’s Service Quality Model Perspective. Asian Social Science, 8(13). https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n13p201
Ravichandran, K., & Kumar, A. (2010). An empirical study: students’ perception on service quality using Malaysian HEdPERF measurement scale. Rai Management Journal, 7(1), 36–54.
Raza, M. A., Siddiquei, A. N., Awan, H. M., et al. (2012). Relationship between service quality, perceived value, satisfaction and revisit intention in hotel industry. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 4(8), 788–804.
Ryu, K., Han, H., & Kim, T. H. (2008). The relationships among overall quick-casual restaurant image, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 27(3), 459–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2007.11.001
Seng, E. L. K. (2013). A Qualitative Study of Factors Contributing to International Students’ Satisfaction of Institutional Quality. Asian Social Science, 9(13). https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n13p126
Sekaran, U. (2005). Research methods for business—A Skill Building Approach, 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. USA.
Seng, E. L. K., & Khoo-Lattimore, C. (2012). Campus Life for International Students: Exploring Students’ Perceptions of Quality Learning Environment at a Private University. Higher Education Studies, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v2n3p102
Senthilkumar, N., & Arulraj, A. (2011). SQM‐HEI—determination of service quality measurement of higher education in India. Journal of Modelling in Management, 6(1), 60–78. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465661111112502
Sharif Nia, H., Marôco, J., She, L., et al. (2023). Student satisfaction and academic efficacy during online learning with the mediating effect of student engagement: A multi-country study. PLOS ONE, 18(10), e0285315. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285315
Singh, G. K. G., & Singh S. K. G. (2008). Malaysian graduates’ employability skills. Unitar E-Journal, 4(1), 15–45.
Soutar, G. N., & Turner, J. P. (2002). Students’ preferences for university: a conjoint analysis. International Journal of Educational Management, 16(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540210415523
Talmacean, I., & Domnica, M.D. (2013). Viewpoints concerning educational quality management at a superior level. Management and Economics, Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy, 2(70), 198–204.
Tessema, M. T., Ready, K., Yu, W. C. W. (2012). Factors affecting college students’ satisfaction with major curriculum: evidence from nine years data. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(2), 34–44.
Tinto, V. (1975). Dropout from Higher Education: A Theoretical Synthesis of Recent Research. Review of Educational Research, 45(1), 89–125. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543045001089
Tinto, V. (1994). Leaving College. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226922461.001.0001
Truong, H. V., Pham, C. H., & Vo, N. H. (2016). Service Quality and Students Level of Satisfaction in Private Colleges in Vietnam. International Journal of Financial Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.5430/ijfr.v7n3p121
Tse, D. K., & Wilton, P. C. (1988). Models of Consumer Satisfaction Formation: An Extension. Journal of Marketing Research, 25(2), 204–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378802500209
Tudoran, A. A., Olsen, S. O., & Dopico, D. C. (2012). Satisfaction strength and intention to purchase a new product. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 11(5), 391–405. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.1384
Vander Schee, B. (2011). Students as Consumers: Programming for Brand Loyalty. Services Marketing Quarterly, 32(1), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332969.2011.534331
Vanniarajan, T., Meharajan, T., Arun, B. (2011). Service Quality in Education: Students’ Perspective. European Journal of Social Sciences, 26(2), 297–309.
Vatta, S., Bhatara, M. (2013). Quality of service and satisfaction among students in private higher education institutes in India. Golden Research Thoughts, 2(9), 1–7.
Vaz, A., & Mansori, S. (2013). Malaysian Private Education Quality: Application of SERVQUAL Model. International Education Studies, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v6n4p164
Vedadi, A., Kolobandi, A., Pool, H. K. (2013). The effect of customer value and satisfaction on customer loyalty: the moderating role of ethical reputation. International Journal of Basic Sciences & Applied Research, 2(5), 453–458.
Vega-Vazquez, M., Ángeles Revilla-Camacho, M., & Cossío-Silva, J. F. (2013). The value co-creation process as a determinant of customer satisfaction. Management Decision, 51(10), 1945–1953. https://doi.org/10.1108/md-04-2013-0227
Welsh, J. F., & Metcalf, J. (2003). Administrative support for institutional effectiveness activities: responses to the ‘new accountability.’ Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 25(2), 183–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080032000122651
Wong, W. H., & Chapman, E. (2022). Student satisfaction and interaction in higher education. Higher Education, 85(5), 957–978. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00874-0
Xu, J., Benbasat, I., & Cenfetelli, R. T. (2013). Integrating Service Quality with System and Information Quality: An Empirical Test in the E-Service Context. MIS Quarterly, 37(3), 777–794. https://doi.org/10.25300/misq/2013/37.3.05
Yount, W. R. (2006). Research design and statistical analysis in christian ministry, 4th ed. Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Zabadi, A. M. A. (2013). Implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) on the Higher Education Institutions—A Conceptual Model. Journal of Finance & Economics, 1(1), 42–60. https://doi.org/10.12735/jfe.v1i1p42
Zikmund, G. W., Babin J. B., Carr C. J., et al. (2012). Business Research Methods, 9th ed. South-Western Cangage Learning, Canada.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.4402
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ganesh Ramasamy, Haslinda Abdullah
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.