Assessing the Influence of External Environment Factors on Higher Education Sector through Means-end Theory of Decision Making: The Case of Bahrain

Abstract

Higher education domain has a direct impact on individuals and society in general and particularly regarding the socio-economic status and economic growth of any individual or a country. Despite recent changes in job market orientation for hiring employees without higher education degrees, higher education sector is required globally to provide training, knowledge and skill to achieve the globally stated goal of attaining economic growth and sustainable human development. This research focuses on the importance of higher education to primary beneficiaries (student, parents, and higher education institutions personals), explores defined goal of higher education, and assess the effect of external environmental factors that influence higher education sector sampling Bahrain public higher education in a single case study. Through an exploratory qualitative research, the researcher used a case study approach with semi-structured interviews to assess different beneficiaries' views of the importance of higher education to bridge the gap between different perspectives on shaping the goal of higher education. An abductive approach was followed to conduct this research as this topic requires both observing the research topic as well as qualifying an established theory. This approach allowed the researcher to gain new insights to understand the relationship between the environmental factors and higher education goal. The research assesses the factors influencing higher education to be utilised as moderator to develop a conceptual framework based on Means-end theory of decision-making combined with the dynamics of OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act) model of decision-making. Key findings of the pilot study conducted in one of Bahrain’s public higher education institutions (HEIs) and another case study on one of the leading higher education institutions in Bahrain revealed a gap between higher education beneficiaries’ perspectives on higher education and demonstrated the importance of the revision of the overall structure and implementation of policies concerning higher education sector in Bahrain. Empirical findings highlighted some main areas where there is a huge gap between what is planned and implemented. Through comparing results of previous studies, the researcher concluded that each environment has its own effect on higher education goal definition which in turn affect the attainment of higher education benefits and the definition of its attributes.