Sustainability of an international business program: a Vietnam experience

International Journal of Business Research, July, 2007 by Denis G. Vinen, Christopher Selvarajah

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 Swinburne 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.

Keywords: Offshore Business Education; Internationalisation; Entrepreneurship; Strategic Approach

1. INTRODUCTION

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. Collaboration with an overseas partner in the provision of education provides both universities with a means to achieve growth in student numbers, offers students a choice in pace and place of study that is affordable, and creates another revenue (fee income) stream for both partners. 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. There are many cases where arrangements have been poorly planned and lacked quality control (Clark 1996). It is thus not surprising that key issues emerging in delivering offshore education are that of quality assurance and program sustainability. Upon closer examination of these issues, Universities may need to put into place a more systematic and strategic planning process to ensure that such ventures will be a success both educationally and financially.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to the sustainability of an international business education 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 Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) and the Vietnamese based National Economics University (NEU). The research was based on the opinions and perceptions of the key stakeholders (students, employers and teaching staff) involved in the MIntA program together with other relevant events connected with the program. Stakeholder experiences were evaluated which enabled the authors to determine whether these experiences were critical success factors linked to sustainability of the international accounting program.

1.1 Development of Accounting Education in Vietnam

Vietnam is now engaged with the outside world in attracting providers of education into the country as a result of the government's decision in 1986 to adopt a comprehensive reform program known in Vietnamese as 'Doi Moi'. This led to a transformation of its socialist economy from rigid central planning to a market orientation which provided opportunities for international universities to bring their offshore education programs to Vietnam. Doi Moi presented a wide range of policy measures including removal of administered prices of goods and services, removal of government controls on the foreign exchange market and international trade, acceptance of non-socialist forms of business management such as private enterprises and joint ventures in the industry and services sectors, reforms of the banking system and acceptance of overseas providers into the domestic education market (Thayer, 2000).