Students' Perception of Higher Education Service Quality: An Empirical Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2016/v46/i3/88998Keywords:
Higher Education Services
, Student's Demographics, QualityPaper Submission Date
, January 1, 2015, Paper sent back for Revision, June 6, Paper Acceptance Date, July 23, 2015.Abstract
Purpose: This paper investigated the service quality perceptions of students towards higher education services using the three component model of service quality proposed by Rust and Oliver (1994). It also attempted to diagnose the perceived service quality across various interfaces such as services provided by the placement cell, library, computer labs, faculty/school offices, proctor office, hostel, sports and health centre of an Institution.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The present study is a descriptive study, respondents were selected randomly, and data was collected through a 22-item likert-type structured questionnaire from 250 students. Data was analyzed and interpreted with the help of SPSS software. Hypotheses framed for the research work were tested with the help of t-test, chi square, F-test to measure the variance and to accept or reject the hypotheses.
Findings: The research results revealed how students assessed service quality. The study also revealed that there is a significant difference in service quality perceptions across various demographic variables; furthermore, the study provided insights into the service quality dimensions that have the greatest influence on student satisfaction and student loyalty.
Practical Implications: The managements of HEIs could use the results of the research to improve the study processes and to increase the students' satisfaction and loyalty.
Originality/Value: The study presented a student-centered perceived service quality valuation and subsequent linkage of the evaluations to student loyalty.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
References
Abdullah, F. (2006). 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. doi: 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2005.00480.x
Annamdevula, S., & Bellamkonda, R. S. (2012). Development of HiEdQUAL for measuring service quality in Indian higher education sector. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 3(4), 412-416.
Arokiasamy, A. R. A. (2012). Service quality in higher education: A concept paper. International Journal of Information, Business & Management, 4 (2), 134-150.
Bayraktaroglu, G., & Atrek, B. (2010). Testing the superiority and dimensionality of SERVQUAL vs. SERVPERF in higher education. Quality Management Journal, 17 (1), 47-59.
Butt, M.M., & de Run, E.C.D. (2009). Private healthcare quality: Applying a SERVQUAL model. International Journal of Health Care Study, 23 (7), 658-673. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09526861011071580
Colling, C., & Harvey, L. (1995). Quality control- assurance and assessment- the link to continuous improvement. Quality Assurance in Education, 3 (4), 30-41.
Cronin Jr., J. J., & Taylor, S. A. (1992). Measuring service quality: Re-examination and extension. Journal of Marketing, 56 (3), 55 - 68. DOI: 10.2307/1252296
Gronroos, C. (1984). A service quality model and its marketing implications. European Journal of Marketing, 18 (4), 36-44.
Grubor, A. (2012). The challenges of service quality at higher education institutions. Economic Themes, 50 (4), 615-631.
Ilhaamie, A.G.A. (2010). Service quality in Malaysian public service: Some findings. International Journal of Trade Economics & Finance, 1(1), 40-45.
Jain, R., Sahney, S., & Sinha, G. (2013). Developing a scale to measure students' perception of service quality in the Indian context. TQM Journal, 25 (3), 276-294. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17542731311307456
Jain, R., Sinha, G., & Sahney, S. (2011). Conceptualizing service quality in higher education. Asian Journal on Quality, 12 (3), 296-314. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/15982681111187128
Khan, M.M, Ahmed, I., & Nawaz, M.M (2011). Students' perspective of service quality in higher learning institutions: An evidence based approach. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2 (11), 159-168.
Min, S., & Khoon, C.C. (2013). Demographic factors in the evaluation of service quality in higher education: International students' perspective. International Review of Management and Business Research, 2 (4), 994-1010.
Nadiri, H., Kandampully, J., & Hussain, K. (2009). Students' perceptions of service quality in higher education. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 20 (5), 523-535. DOI:10.1080/14783360902863713
O'Neill, M.A., & Palmer, A. (2004). Importance-performance analysis: A useful tool for directing continuous quality improvement in higher education. Quality Assurance in Education, 1 (1), 39-52. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09684880410517423
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. (1988). SERVQUAL: A multi-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality. Journal of Retailing, 64 (1), 12-40.
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. L. (1994). Reassessment of expectations as a comparison standard in measuring service quality. Journal of Marketing, 58, 111-124.
Phadke, S.K. (2011). Consequences of service quality linkage – An insight from an empirical investigation in higher education. Indian Journal of Marketing, 41(8), 11-19.
Purgailis, Z. (2012). Impact of perceived service quality on student loyalty in higher education institutions. Journal of Business Management, 4 (6), 138-152.
Quinn, A., Lemay, G., Larsen, P., & Johnson, D. M. (2009). Service quality in higher education. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 20 (2), 139-152. DOI:10.1080/14783360802622805
Rust, R. T., & Oliver, R. L. (1994). Insights and managerial implications from the frontier. In R. T. Rust & R. L. Oliver (Eds.), Service quality: New directions in theory and practice . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
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. doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17465661111112502
Shaari, H. (2014). Service quality in Malaysian higher education: Adult learners' perspective. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5 (1), 86-90.
Shekarchizadrh, A., Rasil, A., & Hon- Tat, H. (2011). SERVQUAL in Malaysian universities: Perspectives of international students. Business Process Management Journal, 17 (1), 67-81. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14637151111105580
Srikanthan, G., & Dalrymple (2003). Developing alternative perspectives for quality in higher education. The International Journal of Education Management, 17 (3), 126- 136. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09513540310467804
Åžteliac, N. (2009). Quality and service quality management in higher education. Review of Management & Economic Engineering, 8 (4), 119-134.
Stimac, H., & Šimić, M.L. (2012). Competitiveness in higher education: A need for marketing orientation and service quality. Economics & Sociology, 5 (2), 23-34.
Stukalina, Y. (2014). Identifying predictors of student satisfaction and student motivation in the framework of assuring quality in the delivery of higher education services. Business Management & Education, 12 (1), 127-137. DOI: 10.3846/bme.2014.09
Sultan, P., & Wong, H.Y. (2010). Service quality in higher education – A review and research agenda. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 2(2), 259-272. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17566691011057393
Tam, M. (2002). Measuring the effect of higher education on university students. Quality Assurance in Education, 10 (4), 223-228. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09684880210446893
Tigga A. E., Pathak P., & Kumar R.V. (2014). Branding of B-schools by understanding the expectations of their three major stakeholders. Indian Journal of Marketing, 44 (10), 7 - 23.
Trivellas, P., & Dargenidou, D. (2009). Leadership and service quality in higher education: The case of the Technological Educational Institute of Larissa. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 1 (3), 294-310. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17566690911004221
Vaz, A., & Mansori, S. (2013). Malaysian private education quality : Application of SERVQUAL model. International Education Studies, 6 (4), 164-170.
Zeithaml, V. A., Berry, L. L., & Parasuraman, A. (1996). The behavioral consequences of service quality. Journal of Marketing, 60 (2), 31 - 46. DOI: 10.2307/1251929