Student Satisfaction and Its Antecedents: How Does Student Satisfaction Index Model Matter in the Context of Joint Master’s Degree Programs in Vietnam

Abstract

Vietnam is increasingly integrated into the world economy, and in the process, reaping impressive economic results. As a result of the rapid integration, the education sector has enjoyed significant growth, especially in the number of joint master’s degree programs offered by foreign universities in Vietnam. Despite this rapid integration and increase in joint degree programs, to date, very little research has been conducted to assess Vietnamese student satisfaction with joint master’s degree programs. To bridge this research gap, the aim of this study is to develop an integrated model to assess the factors affecting student satisfaction with joint master’s degree programs in Vietnam. Based on regression analyses, the results indicate six positive relationships: image and student satisfaction; image and student expectation; student expectation and perceived quality; perceived quality and perceived value; perceived value and student satisfaction. The results also indicate that perceived quality has the most important impact on perceived value; and perceived value has the most important impact on student satisfaction. The results of this study are consistent with that of Temizer and Turkyilmaz (2012), meaning that the SSI (student satisfaction index) model is reliable and valid under cross-cultural circumstances.