Sustainability of post-graduate program at Open University Malaysia (OUM) : an importance-performance analysis
Identifying the important aspects of the services provided to learners and measuring the institution’s performance in providing those services are critical in ensuring continual acceptance and long-term sustainability of an institution’s academic programmes. In this regard, a study was und...
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Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
Published: |
2008
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/400/1/sustain_ramli.pdf http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/400/ |
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Summary: | Identifying the important aspects of the services provided to learners and
measuring the institution’s performance in providing those services are critical in
ensuring continual acceptance and long-term sustainability of an institution’s academic
programmes.
In this regard, a study was undertaken using the importance-performance analysis
(IPA) to identify the strengths and weaknesses of services provided to the post-graduate
learners of OUM. A random sample survey was employed using a questionnaire
containing 46 service-items, grouped into 8 dimensions which are pertinent to open and
distance learning (ODL). The data was obtained from 231 learners from 10 state learning
centres throughout the country. A regression analysis was carried out to determine the
factors that influence learners’ perception on quality, their level of satisfaction and
intention to stay.
The results show that the learners’ ratings for expectations and performance are
high as indicated by the mean importance and performance scores of 6.1 and 5.5 out of a
7- point Likert Scale, respectively. Learners’ perception of the quality of services was
found to be influenced by three dimensions, namely, responsiveness, assurance and
accessibility (R2
=54.3%), while their level of satisfaction was attributed to
responsiveness, assurance and affordability (R2
=52.4%). Another pertinent finding in the
context of OUM is that learners’ intention to stay is influenced by affordability and
flexibility.
The study has obvious implications on OUM’s efforts to ensure the long-term
sustainability of its postgraduate programmes. One of the principal outcomes of the study
is that OUM needs to strengthen its academic-related services and reduce those not
directly academic-oriented. The other outcome is that OUM needs to strengthen its staff’s
responsiveness to learners’ requirements. (Authors' abstract)
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