Branding Initiatives in Higher Educational Institutions: Current Issues and Research Agenda

Abstract

Branding is a very common issue for Higher Educational Institutions like other profitable organizations over the last few years. This study illustrates the present branding scenarios of different public and private universities of Bangladesh which will help to provide a vivid knowledge about the regional universities of Bangladesh. Addressing to the present branding challenges and issues, it was observed that the process of branding initiative is very complex due to multiple reasons, i.e. lack of consistency, accuracy, and commitment from the different stakeholders. For the purpose of the study, the top ten leading public and private universities have been selected for collecting data on brand initiatives. For the objective of the research, 200 existing students along with 200 potential students were selected. Students, qualified or eligible for university admission were taken randomly as the sample of the study. Several variables including images of the university, education quality, rank, reputation, location, political situation or influence and teachers' quality have been measured through a seven-point measurement scale to evaluate the branding initiative. This study reveals that regarding the selection of the public and private universities in Bangladesh, students have a wide range of consideration; and their evaluation about the institution is in paradox, because the institutions they have intended to attend may not be going to fulfil their desired expectations in terms of different dimensions. Branding initiatives of the selected universities are not enough in these circumstances for branding Bangladeshi universities at an international level. Findings of the study have revealed that students are going to target the branded and reputed universities comparing to the quality of education. It has also been observed that employers also recruit graduates from the top-ranking branded universities for their organizational performance. The academics and the marketing policy makers of public and private universities will be assisted by the findings of this study regarding their branding issues in future. Lastly, the study highlights some limitations and future direction in this context.

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