Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/49457

Title

Sustainability of an international business program: a Vietnam experience

Author(s)

Vinen, Denis G.;  Selvarajah, Christopher

Abstract

Australian universities have become increasingly involved in the internationalisation of their education programs as they seek to gain a competitive advantage in international markets. Offshore or transnational programs - those taught in countries outside Australia by Australian universities, usually with an 'offshore' partner - are an important area of international activity in which most Australian universities are currently engaged. However a major problem faced with these programs is how to ensure their sustainability and maintain the quality and effectiveness of the education service that is being provided. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to the sustainability of an international business program in Vietnam. The business program analysed was the Master of International Accounting (MintA) program jointly delivered in Vietnam by a partnership of the Australian based Swinbume University of Technology (SUT) and the Vietnamese based National Economics University (NEU). The research conducted was in the form of a qualitative case study using systems theory (and its subset, stakeholder theory) as the theoretical framework. Stakeholder experiences were evaluated which enabled the researcher to determine whether these experiences were critical success factors linked to sustainability of the offshore business education program. The findings indicated there were five critical success factors common to all stakeholder groups which contributed to the sustainability of the international accounting program. These factors were: reputation of the Australian university; professional accreditation of the program; effective partnership between the providing universities; flexibility in program delivery, and; the opportunity to study in Australia.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology

Source

International Journal of Business Research, Vol. 7, no. 4 (2007), pp. 93-102

Publication year

2007

Keyword(s)

Accounting studies;  Australia;  Business studies;  Collaboration;  Colleges;  Combined degrees;  Entrepreneurship;  International students;  Internationalisation;  National Economics University;  Offshore business education;  Strategic approach;  Swinburne University of Technology;  Universities;  Vietnam

Publisher

International Academy of Business and Economics (IABE)

ISSN

1555-1296

Publisher URL

http://www.iabe.org/domains/iabe/journal.aspx?journalid=12

Copyright

Copyright © 2007 AIBE. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed