This study evaluates the influence of ranking reports on university brands' credibility and perceived differentiation. Signaling theory is applied to link ranking with credibility and perceived differentiation. An experimental approach was used to collect data and to test the hypothesis. Data was collected from 328 participants in the UK regarding…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of school reputation of five lower secondary schools located in the sixth largest city in Greece, as it emerges from the views and experiences of parents, and how it shapes school choice. To this end, 63 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children…

Driven by a shifting landscape and increased competition for students, institutions of higher education (IHE) are working to differentiate themselves to consumers in order to attract new students. These differentiation efforts have increasingly focused on the adult, non-traditional student demographic. As IHEs strive to include claims of quality…

The literature of brand management in higher education lacks significant research in two key areas: 1) theoretical models of the evaluation of brand equity and its impacts on supportive behaviors, and 2) a focus on alumni as a critical stakeholder group to higher education institutions. The new model of alumni-perceived higher education brand…

University rankings have been of interest to many specialists, academics, and independent researchers, who are affiliated to educational or scientific institutions. The matter was also the subject of discussion among students at the master's and doctoral levels about the feasibility of these rankings, whether there is any desired practical benefit…

This paper examines the role of institutional isomorphism in influencing digital transformation (DT) within municipalities. It addresses the gap in understanding how coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures shape municipal strategies and operations as they adopt and implement digital technologies. Through a systematic literature review and…

This study examines various variables that affect pre-service teachers' perceptions of corporate reputation and corporate reputation. In the research, a descriptive survey model was applied. 680 students studying in various departments and classes of Atatürk University Kazim Karabekir Faculty of Education in the 2011-2012 academic year…

Reviews of editorial practices and academic studies have shown that journalists often rely on organization websites--and online newsrooms in particular--to inform news stories. Yet, at a time when many academics are called upon as experts by the media, university newsrooms have been ignored. To fill this gap, this study assesses newsrooms of…

This study examines and compares word of mouth (WOM) behaviour among university students in Syria. To date, little is known about this important phenomenon which is surprising given the deregulated education market in Syria that allows for private universities to compete for students alongside public universities. Using a mixed methods research…

Using ideological analysis as a frame, researchers analyzed institutionally created commercials (PSAs) that appeared in 28 U.S. college football bowl games over a seven-year period (2003-2009) to better understand the universities' brands as represented in these advertisements. They found many common elements such as showing traditional…

In this article, the author argues that American higher education is allowing itself to be held hostage by the rankings industry, which can lead institutions to consider actions harmful to the public interest and encourage the public's infatuation with celebrity at the expense of substance. Instead of sitting quietly by during the upcoming ratings…

The growth in cynicism about universities is discussed. None of society's institutions depends more than universities on the public belief that their purposes are more public-spirited and less self-interested. (MLW)