Revenue diversification in public higher learning institutions: An exploratory Malaysian study

• Main Authors: Nik Ahmad, Nik Nazli, Siraj, Siti Alawiah, Ismail, Suhaiza
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2019
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/74594/7/74594%20Revenue%20diversification%20in%20public.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74594/8/74594%20Revenue%20diversification%20in%20public%20SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74594/19/74594_Revenue%20diversification%20in%20public%20higher%20learning_wos.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/74594/; https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2050-7003/vol/11/iss/3

Purpose: The paper explores the extent of revenue diversification of selected Malaysian public higher learning institutions (HLIs) and the perceptions of senior officers of Malaysian public HLIs on matters related to revenue diversification. Design/methodology/approach: The study analyses data from the HLIs’ financial statements and a questionnaire survey with senior officers of the Malaysian public HLIs. Findings: The results suggest that while a majority of the Malaysian public HLIs were still dependent largely on government funding, the more established and larger HLIs had a slightly more diversified revenue structure. The survey suggested that overall, the senior officers were receptive to the need for revenue diversification. Research limitations/implications: The paper is largely based on a perception survey. Future work should utilise in-depth interviews and/or focus groups and a more in-depth analysis of financial statement data to provide richer data. Practical implications: The study’s findings provide useful baseline data upon which further work may be built, particularly in the less explored developing country context. They will also prove useful to the administrators of public HLIs in other parts of the world facing a similar financial austerity situation. Originality/Value: This is the first published Malaysian study examining the extent of revenue diversification of HLIs and senior HEI officers’ perceptions on revenue diversification strategies.