This is an investigative study into the effects that the quality of education at service academies has on educational outcome and educational satisfaction, aiming at providing basic materials to improve the quality of education at the service academie...
This is an investigative study into the effects that the quality of education at service academies has on educational outcome and educational satisfaction, aiming at providing basic materials to improve the quality of education at the service academies.
Within the population of students at the service academies in Busan, a total of 290 questionnaires were distributed and 272 copies were collected. With unappropriate responses removed, a total of 250 copies were used for this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS 18.0 to conduct frequency analysis including demographic variables. Also, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted for the reliability and validity of variables. Finally, multiple regression analysis was carried out to identify the effects of the quality of educational services on educational outcomes and satisfaction.
Through theoretical researches and precedent studies, this study examined the concept and rating scale of educational service quality, finding out the dependent variables—educational outcomes and the degree of educational satisfaction. The study referred to SERVQUAL and HEdPERF based on precedent studies, dividing the selection attributes of educational service quality as follows: physical, programme, personnel, operation and learning environment factors.
Educational service quality questionnaire items are:
‘Physical’ factor includes the possession of equipments necessary for education, the lighting of classrooms, and etc.-- used by the existing researchers. ‘Programme’ consists of the expertise of instructors, the reliability of lectures offered, and the provision of lectures matching educational goals and objectives. ‘Personnel’ is made up of the degree of kindness of staff, its willingness to offer assistance, its concerns and affection for students, and its efforts to form a bond with students. ‘Operation’ is composed of the provision of solutions to any problems, the provision of services committed, and an efficient use of information. ‘Learning environment' factor consists of the possession of appropriate classrooms, ideal classroom size, and the ideal number of instructors.
The measure of educational outcomes includes expectations for current and future outcomes-- expectations for individual growth, and perceived peer acknowledgement. The measure of educational satisfaction consists of items to identify how to perceive expected educational services-- overall satisfaction with services offered, satisfaction with choices, and the willingness to use word-of-mouth.
The results of the study are as follows:
First, ‘personnel’, ‘programme’ and ‘operation’ factors among the service quality variables of service academies, have positive effects on educational outcomes and satisfaction, with the highest rate for
‘ programme’ factor. It suggests that the most important element in the educational service quality of service academies is programmes, with right education goals that are offered by expert instructors. Also, the most effective way of enhancing competitiveness in educational service quality is to build good curricula and educational programmes.
Secondly, ‘personnel’ is the second highest rating factor influencing the service quality of service academies, with its positive effects on educational outcomes and satisfaction. It implies the importance of improving the knowledge and level of staff at service academies. Currently, service academies have very poor educational programs for employees in sales and marketing departments, calling for courses to foster professional staff. The courses should include a basic educational program over about 10 days, which contains fundamental knowledge of service academies, education on counselling, continued management of students, and a good service philosophy. Service academies need to carry out professional training programs for new employees that would gain student trust, and enhance student satisfaction with the services provided.
Thirdly, ‘operation’ is the third highest factor having positive effects on educational outcomes and the degree of educational satisfaction. ‘Operation’ factor concerns reliability and confidence in the PZB service quality model--suggesting concrete and swift solutions for students and
efficiently using student information. Increased reliability for service academies calls for strategies to enhance employment rate, which is the main goal for educational services at service academies. Therefore, service academies need to have partnerships with service businesses to continuously offer employment assistance activities and special selection opportunities for students.
Finally, hypothesis testing results show ‘physical’ and ‘learning environment’ factors have insignificant effects on the educational outcomes and the degree of educational satisfaction. Physical and learning environment factors are external elements outside lectures. In other words, external factors, such as facilities, classroom size, and the number of instructors per student are less important. While external expansion may affect enrollment prior to education, the findings show sustained educational outcomes and better satisfaction require improving the quality of instructors, education programs and expert employees for better educational service quality.
The study results are expected to contribute to quality improvement in service academies, conducive to promoting the government’s policy of service industry. Above all, the study would be useful in improving educational service quality at service academies for better educational outcomes and satisfaction, enabling the development of individuals with service philosophy. It will also help service academies to improve their educational service quality by producing excellent employees, expected to contribute to workforce supply and demand in service businesses.
The study has its own limitations: It conducted the questionnaire survey at service academies in Busan alone, with its whole sample limited to women. Therefore, it needs an investigation into difference in region and gender. In addition, respondents consists of students in a less than 3-month basic course( 64% of the whole sample), ones in less than 1- year course (29.6%), and ones in more than 1 year course. Given the subjective assessment by students of educational outcomes and satisfaction, a more objective measure of educational effects requires students taking courses long enough to judge the quality of service academies. Therefore, additional survey of long-term educational outcomes and the degree of students’ satisfaction requires an investigation into students taking courses more than 6 months, people involved in the service occupation after completing service academies, and current instructors for the supplementation of educational service quality.