Today, the higher education sector can be considered a market and, within it, private university education is a common marketable service in the literature on higher education management. Research on the analysis of the variables that generate the university image has been the subject of numerous investigations. Although there is no generally accepted definition, most authors approach the measurement of image through multi-factor scales, with variables relating to functional and psychological elements. This research aims to contribute to study of the most determinant variables in measuring a product’s image, assessing especially the effect of the reputation construct. This was done through measuring the image of the “private university” product as perceived by citizens of Andalusia, based on a standardized model with three dimensions—functional and affective aspects and reputation. After adapting and validating the questionnaire, a two-phase procedure is performed with double validation through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The results show an adapted scale valid for measuring the image of a generic product; with presentation and discussion of a series of advantages of incorporating reputation and measuring image through models with three dimensions. This article goes deeper into the possible influence of reputation as a determinant factor in measuring image, an assumption arising from some models for measuring image, something that so far has not been sufficiently contrasted.
<p class="RESUMENCURSIVA">Se presenta una investigación en la que se estudian los atributos determinantes en la construcción de imagen de la universidad privada, de forma genérica sin alusiones a marcas, recurriendo a una muestra de conveniencia de preuniversitarios en Andalucía. Como metodología se propone una investigación exploratoria con la combinación de dos técnicas poco habituales: la técnica Redes Semánticas Naturales, y una técnica cuantitativa de escalamiento denominada despliegue multidimensional. Los resultados apuntan hacia la presencia de dos dimensiones diferentes: asociados a los resultados esperados de la universidad privada (formación, empleo e idioma) y según la implicación requerida del discente (esfuerzo e intercambios) y se perciben diferencias según el sexo y la naturaleza del centro de pertenencia del alumnado. Además, se aportan evidencias de las ventajas de la combinación de técnicas como mecanismo de triangulación, pues utilizando procedimientos de análisis diferentes sobre el mismo fenómeno se constata una mejor comprensión del problema de investigación.</p>
Research on the role brand image plays in higher education (HE) suggests that it is crucial to understand students' perceptions of their university. This study builds on existing empirical work by Alcaide-Pulido, Alves, and Gutierrez-Villar (2017) exploring themes of national and international recognition, economic value, university campus facilities, and external communications and values. It employs a structural equation modelling approach with Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Decision Trees Analysis through a sample of 624 undergraduate students from England, Spain, and Portugal. The findings highlight areas of commonality as well as differences between the different cultures and nationalities examined as part of the study. They show areas that brand managers from each country should concentrate on, making recommendations that could help to shape the marketing direction of universities in each of the nations included in the research. The English and Portuguese should prioritize communication to students through their institutional website, whereas Spaniards should attend to ethical values and social responsibility. Economic value is an aspect that Spanish and English universities should focus on. Spaniards and English agree that campus facilities are important, whereas class size is key for Portuguese. Finally, Portuguese students' highly value the national recognition of their university.
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