Exploring the benefits and challenges of strategic alliances in Zambia’s higher education markets.

Item

Title
en Exploring the benefits and challenges of strategic alliances in Zambia’s higher education markets.
Creator
Mtonga, T. & Banja, M.K.
Date
2020-10-21T06:25:53Z
Date Available
2020-10-21T06:25:53Z
Date Issued
2020-09
Abstract
en The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits and challenges of strategic alliances among higher education institutions in Zambia. Literature on alliances is explicit and highlights the benefits of alliances as well as the challenges. The study was qualitative in nature utilizing purposive sampling. It was a case study focusing on the existing strategic alliances among three universities situated in the capital of Zambia: University of Zambia, University of Africa and Cavendish University. Sixty participants, 20 from each participating university were purposively selected to represent a rich demographic mix in terms of gender, level of education and experience. These were selected based on their knowledge and experience working in universities as well as their strategic positions in their universities. Data were qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes namely benefits of strategic alliances to universities, challenges faced by strategic alliances among universities and mechanisms to manage such challenges were identified and discussed. It was concluded that strategic alliances among universities benefited the Zambian higher education market better than competition. Challenges identified such as lack of commitment to the strategic alliances could easily lead to their failure and therefore appropriate strategies such as ensuring that contracts offered to staff clearly stipulated the boundaries of staff rights are needed to mitigate such failure.
Identifier
en Mtonga, T. and Banja, M. K. (2020). Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Strategic Alliances in Zambia’s Higher Education Markets. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences (EAJESS) 1(2)168-178 ISSN: 2714-2132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46606/eajess2020v01i02.0032
2714-2132
Language
en en
Publisher
en GITOYA CENTRE FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND DISSEMINATION
Subject
en Highier education.
Type
en Article