Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Global education: using lean tools to explore new opportunities

Global education: using lean tools to explore new opportunities As markets, economies and institutions are increasingly globalized, there is a growing understanding of the need to introduce intercultural learning alongside business learning. Participating in a study abroad program is potentially one of the most important experiences for any college student. Such programs provide students the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and gain new perspectives. The purpose of this paper is threefold: to identify the main factors that students consider when selecting a program; to integrate quality function deployment (QFD), benchmarking and Hoshin Kanri in the analysis of student expectations and to examine the implications for research and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on primary data collected from 180 students at four universities. To design an approach that helps students in the selection of a program that best satisfies their expectations, a self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using the techniques of QFD/benchmarking. Finally, a long-term strategy is proposed based on the Hoshin Kanri theory.FindingsThe great variability in student expectations presents a challenge in designing a methodology of selection; however, it does help in identifying the most important student expectations. A key, balanced relationship among academic quality, having fun and cost cannot be ignored in this study because they represent the factors that are altogether influential in the decision to study abroad. In the current literature, the key variables of study abroad programs are discussed; however, most studies fail to incorporate student expectations. This paper will fill this gap by incorporating both key academic variables and the voice of the customer (student).Research limitations/implicationsGiven the diversity of the population, the authors developed several methodologies to standardize the array of student responses to the questionnaire. Using this standardization along with several total quality management (TQM) tools allows us to simplify and categorize the different student expectations. The gathering of students’ expectations directly provided by students (voice of the customer) allows international programs to focus on the real problems and expectations that have been acknowledged, thus yielding student satisfaction with their experience, most importantly, in their field of study.Practical implicationsFor universities, the current study identifies new means by which to improve the quality of international programs with the use of TQM tools including QFD, benchmarking and the Hoshin Kanri Planning Process with an evidence-based real case.Originality/valueThis paper presents a conclusive application of QFD, benchmarking and Hoshin Kanri and an analysis of how these tools can help international programs with future improvements incorporating the needs of students in their programs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first application of these techniques to improve the international experience for business undergraduate students. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal ofinternational Education in Business Emerald Publishing

Global education: using lean tools to explore new opportunities

Download PDF
22 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/global-education-using-lean-tools-to-explore-new-opportunities-yGHkpQqyG1
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2046-469X
DOI
10.1108/jieb-11-2018-0052
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

As markets, economies and institutions are increasingly globalized, there is a growing understanding of the need to introduce intercultural learning alongside business learning. Participating in a study abroad program is potentially one of the most important experiences for any college student. Such programs provide students the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and gain new perspectives. The purpose of this paper is threefold: to identify the main factors that students consider when selecting a program; to integrate quality function deployment (QFD), benchmarking and Hoshin Kanri in the analysis of student expectations and to examine the implications for research and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on primary data collected from 180 students at four universities. To design an approach that helps students in the selection of a program that best satisfies their expectations, a self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using the techniques of QFD/benchmarking. Finally, a long-term strategy is proposed based on the Hoshin Kanri theory.FindingsThe great variability in student expectations presents a challenge in designing a methodology of selection; however, it does help in identifying the most important student expectations. A key, balanced relationship among academic quality, having fun and cost cannot be ignored in this study because they represent the factors that are altogether influential in the decision to study abroad. In the current literature, the key variables of study abroad programs are discussed; however, most studies fail to incorporate student expectations. This paper will fill this gap by incorporating both key academic variables and the voice of the customer (student).Research limitations/implicationsGiven the diversity of the population, the authors developed several methodologies to standardize the array of student responses to the questionnaire. Using this standardization along with several total quality management (TQM) tools allows us to simplify and categorize the different student expectations. The gathering of students’ expectations directly provided by students (voice of the customer) allows international programs to focus on the real problems and expectations that have been acknowledged, thus yielding student satisfaction with their experience, most importantly, in their field of study.Practical implicationsFor universities, the current study identifies new means by which to improve the quality of international programs with the use of TQM tools including QFD, benchmarking and the Hoshin Kanri Planning Process with an evidence-based real case.Originality/valueThis paper presents a conclusive application of QFD, benchmarking and Hoshin Kanri and an analysis of how these tools can help international programs with future improvements incorporating the needs of students in their programs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first application of these techniques to improve the international experience for business undergraduate students.

Journal

Journal ofinternational Education in Business – Emerald Publishing

Published: May 20, 2021

Keywords: Total quality management; Benchmarking; Quality function deployment; Hoshin Kanri; Study abroad programs

References

  • An integrated fuzzy QFD and TOPSIS methodology for choosing the ideal gas fuel at WWTP's
    Akbas, H.; Bilgen, B.
  • Fuzzy QFD approach for managing SCOR performance indicators
    Akkawuttiwanich, P.; Yenradee, P.
  • Student perceptions of study abroad programs: a survey of US colleges and universities
    Albers-Miller, N.D.; Prenshaw, P.J.; Straughan, R.D.
  • An empirical model of international students satisfaction
    Arambewela, R.; Hall, J.
  • A Markovian-QFD approach in addressing the changing priorities of the student needs
    Asadabadi, M.R.
  • Student satisfaction cues to support market segmentation and explain switching behavior
    Athanassopoulos, A.D.
  • Quality function deployment modeling to enhance industrialized building system adoption in housing projects
    Azam Haron, N.; Abdul-Rahman, H.; Wang, C.; Wood, L.
  • A multi-objective mathematical model integrating environmental concerns for supplier selection and order allocation based on fuzzy QFD in beverages industry
    Babbar, C.; Amin, S.H.
  • Participation in tertiary study abroad programs: the role of personality
    Bakalis, S.; Joiner, T.
  • Enhancing the study abroad experience: a longitudinal analysis of hospitality-oriented, study abroad program evaluations
    Behnke, C.; Soobin, S.; Miller, K.
  • Intervening in the learning of US students abroad
    Berg, M.V.
  • Application of integrated QFD and fuzzy AHP approach in the selection of suppliers
    Bojana, J.; Delibasic, B.
  • Framework for prioritizing infrastructure user expectations using Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
    Bolar, A.A.; Solomon, T.; Rehan, S.
  • Extending fuzzy QFD methodology with GDM approaches: an application for IT planning in collaborative product development
    Büyüközkan, G.; Güleryüz, S.
  • Internal student satisfaction improvement with QFD technique
    Camgöz-Akdağ, H.; İmer, H.P.; Ergin, K.N.
  • Study abroad: lessons learned on the road
    Cao, W.
  • Using typologies to interpret study abroad preferences of American business students: applying a tourism framework to international education
    Cardon, P.; Marshall, B.; Poddar, A.
  • Application of quality function deployment for the development of an organic product
    Cardoso, J.; Filho, N.; Cauchick, P.
  • A QFD-based expert system for industrial truck selection in manufacturing organizations
    Chakraborty, S.; Prasad, K.
  • Quality function deployment: a literature review
    Chan, L.-K.; Wu, M.-L.
  • Exploring a study abroad option for the accounting curriculum
    Crawford, D.L.
  • Student perceptions of and preferences for a short overseas study tour
    Evans, J.; Finch, J.; Toncar, M.F.; Reid, J.S.
  • What predicts international higher education students’ satisfaction with their study in Ireland?
    Finn, M.; Darmody, M.
  • Do values or goals better explain intent? Across-national comparison
    Fornerino, M.; Jolibert, A.; Sánchez, C.M.; Zhang, M.
  • Prioritization of QFD student requirements based on the law of comparative judgments
    Franceschini, F.; Domenico, M.
  • Preparing for globalization: do we need structural change for our academic programs?
    Fugate, D.; Robert, J.
  • Predictors of US college students' participation in study abroad programs: a longitudinal study
    Goldstein, S.B.; Kim, R.I.
  • Improving product design using quality function deployment: the school furniture case in developing countries
    González, M.; Quesada, G.; Bahill, T.
  • Application of quality management tools in the evaluation of websites: the case of sports organizations
    Gonzalez, M.; Quesada, G.; Mora-Monge, C.; Davis, J.
  • Gauging the impact of study abroad: how to overcome the limitations of a single-cell design
    Hadis, B.F.
  • The house of quality
    Hause, J.; Clausing, D.
  • The moderating effect of copying on student satisfaction with a short study abroad program
    Hill, D.J.; Iyer, R.
  • Performing competitive analysis in QFD studies using state multipole moments and bootstrap sampling
    Iqbal, Z.; Grigg, N.; Govindaraju, K.
  • A methodology for project portfolio selection under criteria prioritisation, uncertainty and projects interdependency – combination of fuzzy QFD and DEA
    Jafarzadeh, H.; Akbari, P.; Abedin, B.
  • Effectiveness of QFD in a municipal administration process
    Jimenez, N.O.; Serrato, R.
  • Applying quality function deployment to social housing
    Kassela, K.; Papalexi, M.; Bamford, D.
  • Implementation of QFD method in the quality analysis of confectionery products
    Kowalska, M.; Pazdzior, M.; Krzton-Maziopa, A.
  • Who studies abroad: who stays put and why
    Lau, J.
  • Analyze the healthcare service requirement using fuzzy QFD
    Lee, C.; Tan, C.; Yeung, C.; Choy, K.; Ip, W.
  • Benchmarking managed health care organizations using data envelopment analysis
    Malhotra, R.; Malhotra, D.K.; Lehrman, S.
  • Achieving globalization of AACSB accounting programs with faculty-led study abroad education
    Meier, H.H.; Smith, D.D.
  • Short-term study abroad programs: a diversity of options
    Mills, L.H.; Deviney, D.; Ball, B.
  • A framework for VSM integrated with fuzzy QFD
    Mohanraj, R.; Sakthivel, M.; Vinodh, S.; Vimal, K.
  • Intercultural competence in short-term study abroad
    Nguyen, A.
  • Study abroad motivations, destination selection, and pre-trip attitude formation
    Nyaupane, G.P.; Paris, C.M.; Teye, V.
  • A new QFD model considering the time dimension and application strategy for intellectual property right
    Ohta, S.; Kitamura, A.
  • A new hesitant fuzzy QFD approach: an application to computer workstation selection
    Onar, S.C.; Basar, O.; Cengiz, K.; Gulcin, B.
  • A hybrid QFD-AHP methodology and an application for heating systems in Turkey
    Ozdemir, Y.; Pelin, A.; Huseyin, B.; Dursun, C.
  • A benchmarking-based requirement analysis methodology for improving web sites
    Pang, M.S.; Suh, W.; Kim, J.; Lee, H.
  • Expectations, outcomes and attitude change of study abroad students
    Paris, C.M.; Nyaupane, G.P.; Teye, V.
  • The effect of attributes of study abroad and risk aversion on the future likelihood to study abroad: a study of US and Norwegian undergraduate marketing students
    Payan, J.M.; Svensson, G.; Høgevold, N.M.
  • Business study abroad tours for non-traditional students: an outcomes assessment
    Peppas, S.
  • An analysis of a study-aboard learning effort
    Porcano, T.M.
  • The effect of perceived value in the decision to participate in study abroad programs
    Relyea, C.; Cochiara, F.K.F.; Studdard, N.L.
  • Application of the Hoshin Kanri methodology at a higher education establishment in the UK
    Roberts, P.; Tennant, C.
  • Linking advanced biofuels policies with stakeholder interests: a method building on Quality Function Deployment
    Schillo, R.S.; Isabelle, D.A.; Shakiba, A.
  • International students’ course satisfaction and continuance behavioral intention in a higher education setting: an empirical assessment in Malaysia
    Shahijan, M.K.; Rezaei, S.; Amin, M.
  • Developing the C-shaped QFD 3D matrix for service applications with a case study in banking services
    Shahin, A.; Elham, B.; Iral; Vaez Shahrestani, H.
  • Benchmarking in QFD for quality improvement
    Shen, X.; Tan, K.; Xie, M.
  • Teaching global manufacturing and supply chain management through study abroad program: a case study
    Silva, E.; Nepal, B.; Lawrence, B.
  • Do destination images really matter? Predicting destination choices of student travelers
    Sirakaya, E.S.S.; Choi, H.
  • More than a sight-seeing trip: enhancing the value in short-term study abroad
    Sjoberg, S.D.; Shabalina, O.I.
  • User requirements analysis for restaurant POS and accounting application using quality function deployment
    Sularto, L.; Wardoyo, T.
  • An application of an integrated ANP-QFD framework for sustainable supplier selection
    Tavana, M.; Morteza, Y.; Di Caprio, D.
  • A multi-phase QFD-based hybrid fuzzy MCDM approach for performance evaluation: a case of smart bike-sharing programs in Changsha
    Tian, Z-p.; Jian-Qiang, W.; Jing, W.; Zhang, H.-Y.
  • Perceptions and preferences of study abroad: do business students have different needs?
    Toncar, M.F.; Reid, J.S.; Anderson, C.E.
  • The Georgetown consortium project: interventions for student learning abroad
    VandeBerg, M.; Connor-Linton; Paige, R.M.
  • Learning outcomes of study- abroad programs: a meta-analysis
    Varela, O.E.
  • Hoshin Kanri: policy management in Japanese-owned UK subsidiaries
    Witcher, B.; Butterworth, R.
  • Robust fuzzy quality function deployment based on the mean-end-chain concept: service station evaluation problem for rail catering services
    Wu, X.; Lei, N.; Meng, X.
  • The integration between service value and service recovery in the hospitality industry: an application of QFD and ANP
    Wua, W.-Y.; Alfiyatul, Q.; Nguyen, T.; Yingkai, L.
  • Engineering and technical education in Taiwan: an observation based on TQM concept
    Chang, I.-F.; Ku, A.C.-H.
  • Designing a supply chain management academic curriculum using QFD and benchmarking
    Gonzalez, M.; Quesada, G.; Gourdin, K.; Hartley, M.
  • Measurement and efforts of teaching quality: an empirical model applied to masters programs
    Lado, N.C.; Cardone-Riportella, C.; Rivera-Torres, P.