University Graduates' Perceptions of Institutional Hierarchies. The Case of Finnish Master's Degree in Business Administration and Economics

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Bibliographic Details
Title: University Graduates' Perceptions of Institutional Hierarchies. The Case of Finnish Master's Degree in Business Administration and Economics
Language: English
Authors: Ulpukka Isopahkala-Bouret (ORCID 0000-0002-8535-8874), Sonja Kosunen (ORCID 0000-0001-8093-7052), Nina Haltia (ORCID 0000-0002-2139-1405)
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. 2024 68(1):79-91.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Power Structure, Institutional Characteristics, Student Attitudes, College Graduates, Foreign Countries, Geographic Location, Status, College Choice, Reputation, Decision Making, Business Administration Education, Universities, Graduate Study, Economics Education
Geographic Terms: Finland
DOI: 10.1080/00313831.2023.2266706
ISSN: 0031-3831
1470-1170
Abstract: In the process of higher education choice, the prospective students compare and organise universities into a preference order, which indicates status hierarchies among institutions. In this study, the aim is to investigate how (and based on what) recent business graduates construct institutional hierarchies in the national higher education landscape in Finland. Moreover, we ask how the geographical location of universities contributes to such hierarchies. Based on 43 interviews with Master's degree graduates from four universities and their satellite campuses, we argue that the long distances between universities in a geographically large country eventually contest the relevance of status comparisons between universities, when it actually comes to making a choice. This does not indicate, however, that institutional hierarchies would not exist nor be of relevance. Our findings reveal that hierarchy is produced through the perceived selectivity of admissions, future exchange value of education, and competitiveness/inclusiveness of student culture.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1405914
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:In the process of higher education choice, the prospective students compare and organise universities into a preference order, which indicates status hierarchies among institutions. In this study, the aim is to investigate how (and based on what) recent business graduates construct institutional hierarchies in the national higher education landscape in Finland. Moreover, we ask how the geographical location of universities contributes to such hierarchies. Based on 43 interviews with Master's degree graduates from four universities and their satellite campuses, we argue that the long distances between universities in a geographically large country eventually contest the relevance of status comparisons between universities, when it actually comes to making a choice. This does not indicate, however, that institutional hierarchies would not exist nor be of relevance. Our findings reveal that hierarchy is produced through the perceived selectivity of admissions, future exchange value of education, and competitiveness/inclusiveness of student culture.
ISSN:0031-3831
1470-1170
DOI:10.1080/00313831.2023.2266706