Currently, higher education is undergoing a lot of changes as a result of the changes beings implemented in the international business. The changes have brought rapid developments in the education sector through introduction of better technology and communication systems, which in return have affected the roles played by teachers and students (Barnett 678).
In addition, a lot of changes have occurred in the international labor market because of advancement in technology. Currently, higher education practitioners are required to have in-depth knowledge of world cultures, languages and business methods. Education is continually becoming more invaluable to individuals compared to the past because it provides better chances for individuals to secure employment.
Higher education institutions from the west have realized that education is increasingly becoming a very essential element and as a result they have developed educational facilities in developing countries. Some scholars argue that, such a move is invaluable for the developing nations because it helps in raising their skills and education standards (Boan 607). However, others view the move as a modern style of cultural imperialism which might lead to establishment of an ultimately, universal western community.
One major aspect of education as an international business has been formation of “twinning projects” between western and non-western universities. Higher education institutions are currently pursuing viable approaches, structures and mechanisms for identifying and accommodating students from different cultures (Dean 789).
This move is aimed at attracting more profits for the institutions as well as broadening their coverage areas. Since higher education is increasing becoming an international enterprise, a number of intuitions are pushing for the privatization of the sector.
Recent technological developments in education, such as introduction of electronic materials and programs in classroom teaching have greatly aided in making education an international business (McKibbin 789). Class notes are currently prepared and stored in electronic forms and can be used at the same moment in different places in the world. One can easily access information from computer maintained libraries at a small fee without necessarily having to go a classroom.
In addition, education is playing a very crucial role in international business sector since individuals are able to acquire information on issues that cut across international boundaries and economies. The international spread of education has clearly created a lot of effects on world cultures. For instance, capitalist community is gradually increasing to every nation in the world as a result of strong emphasis that is being placed on free trade.
Higher education institutions are reacting accordingly by being more market oriented with some focusing more energy in creating funds instead of providing students with sufficient education. Due to increase in international free trade which is aimed towards ending protection in many business sectors by increasing privatization and competition, education is continually being pulled into international capitalist competition (Griffin 698).
Colleges and universities around the globe are increasingly being forced to engage in some sorts of entrepreneurial activities so as to sustain themselves. Under the globalization effect, there has been a general trend in reduction per capita of higher education funding; this is happening at a time when the system is undergoing expansion both at the initial and life-long learning stages. As result, the funding burden has being shifted to the individual user’s shoulders on a receive-pay basis.
Internationalization of higher education as a business has created opportunities as well as challenges. Relationship between international business and education requires a lot of attention since education should be a source of solutions to the many challenges found in international businesses (McKibbin 65). Educational goals through university education are supposed to play very important roles of creating better and reliable business communities.
Works Cited
Barnett, Rey. Higher Education: A Critical Business. New York: Open University Press, 1997. Print.
Boan, Clark. The higher education system: Academic organization in cross-national perspective. California: University of California Press, 2001. Print.
Dean, Hanna. “Higher education in an era of digital competition: Emerging organizationalmodels.” Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 18.6 (1997):90-97. Print.
Griffin, Ricky. International Business. New York. Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.
McKibbin, Porter. Management Education and Development: Drift or Thrust into the 21st Century? Hightstown: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1988. Print.