ERIC Number: EJ1389917
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0884-1241
EISSN: EISSN-1540-7144
Unique Challenges of Segmentation and Differentiation for Higher Education
Story, John
Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, v33 n1 p20-39 2023
In the numerous studies of segmentation for higher education marketing, the primary focus has been on segmenting students. In fact, universities serve a diverse audience that includes parents, employers, alumni, donors, and other members of society. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which universities must attempt to simultaneously target multiple diverse segments with the same basic market offering. Three research questions were addressed: whether different demographic groups are different segments, whether the priorities of these groups are complementary or conflicting, and whether there are significant subsegments within these groups. To answer these questions, groups of parents, college-bound high school students, employers, alumni, and donors were surveyed concerning the importance of a variety of different university attributes. Different groups were found to have significantly different priorities, creating unique segments. The good news for university marketing is that segment differences were complementary, rather than conflicting.
Descriptors: Higher Education, Marketing, Universities, Diversity, Institutional Characteristics, Parent Attitudes, Student Attitudes, College Bound Students, Employer Attitudes, Alumni, Donors, Consumer Economics, Focus Groups
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A