Consumption Values and Empowerment of the Student as Customer: Taking a Rational Look inside Higher Education's "Pandora's Box"

Autor/inn/en	van Andel, Jeroen; Botas, Paulo Charles Pimentel; Huisman, Jeroen
Titel	Consumption Values and Empowerment of the Student as Customer: Taking a Rational Look inside Higher Education's "Pandora's Box"
Quelle	In: Higher Education Review, 45 (2012) 1, S.62-85 (24 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0018-1609
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Student Attitudes; Commercialization; Educational Finance; Educational Philosophy; Power Structure; Theories; Purchasing; Student Role; Student Empowerment; Consumer Economics; Values; Criteria; Course Selection (Students); Social Science Research; Academic Standards; Innovation; Netherlands + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Schülerverhalten; Bildungsfonds; Bildungsphilosophie; Erziehungsphilosophie; Theory; Theorie; Beschaffungswesen; Kauf; Studienberechtigung; Konsumökonomie; Wertbegriff; Course selection; Student; Students; Kurswahl; Social scientific research; Sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung; Niederlande
Abstract	There has been much debate on the concept of student as customer/consumer in higher education but little empirical research, most of which lacks a solid theoretical framework. This article summarises the key arguments in the literature and their shortcomings, proposes a framework to analyse student perceptions and behaviour, and reports research using that framework. The theory of consumption values and the theory of power relations are used to understand and explain students' experiences with demand-driven education in the Netherlands. The research suggests that some consumption values are directly related to students' sense of empowerment and control over their own education and future, promoting student commitment to and engagement with learning. Students make rational choices informed by their educational and professional needs, and intellectual interests. The exercise of students' choice does not threaten innovation and academic standards but, on the contrary, is a driver for innovation in the curriculum and in research and thus for academic standards. Students are the main customers of higher education and higher education institutions should treat them with the respect and dedication that they deserve. (Contains 2 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10