| Abstract [eng] |
The main aim of this master thesis is to evaluate international student’s decision-making process, when choosing higher education in Lithuania. This work consists of three chapters: the first chapter consists of theoretical background from the studies done in the field of consumer behaviour. It includes the concept of consumer behaviour, consumer behaviour theories, consumer decision making process, overview of consumer decision making models and international student’s decision making process. The existing research was used to select the factors for the empirical study. Finally, the theoretical framework of international students decision making process which is developed according to the literature analysis is provided in this chapter. The second chapter presents the research method. The structure of questionnaire, research sample and research organization are also presented in the second chapter. The third chapter presents the results of an empirical research done on the basis of the theoretical framework created in this work and their interpretations were given. The data collection process was performed via survey using structured online questionnaire which maid according to Engel, Blackwell, Miniard consumer behaviour model. 680 of international students of Siauliai University (SU), Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), who are studying in the fall of 2016 were asked to participate in the research. The result of survey was analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2010 programme. This master thesis ends with the conclusions and recommendations for university administration and more effective marketing proggrame targeted at international students. Overall, this study gives the good picture of main factors which influences international student’s decision making with regards to choosing studies abroad. The main findings of the research are: the most of international students emphasized the expansion of friend’s network, better employment opportunities and international network creation as important motivation factors for choosing studies abroad. The internet and university website are the two most significant information sources for international students when they were making decision about country and university for their studies. The safety of the country, the living cost of the country and possibility to travel to other countries are the most important country selection factors for international students. The most of respondents emphasized the right course/ program and tuition fee as important university selection factors for international students when choosing studies abroad. |
