The Effects of Socio-Economic Factors on the Demand for Anadolu University Open Education System

Abstract

The aim of this study is to put forward how the demand for Anadolu University Open Education System is affected by socioeconomic factors in the provinces of Turkey. We tried to construct a structural equality model which is called as path analysis. First, factor analysis was applied to socioeconomic variables which were obtained in province basis and three important f actors were found. These are the levels of economic development, labor and education in the province. Then, multiple regression analysis was performed between these factors and the variables of Anadolu University Open Education System. As the result of the analysis, we found that economic development and education variables positively affect the demand for Anadolu University Open Education System while labor variables affect negatively. Thus, we have shown the positive contributions of economic development and education levels of the province to the demand for Open Education System. It is not surprising that individuals in the workforce do not benefit from open education. Because, individuals after increasing their skills through open education, generally le ave education and join the workforce, with the intention of finding a new job or new initiatives to be employed.