Identifying and Ranking the Dimensions of University Internationalization in Emerging Markets: The Case of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Keywords:
University internationalization, higher education, emerging markets, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, structural equation modelingAbstract
This study aims to identify, validate, and prioritize the key dimensions and indicators of university internationalization in the emerging market of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed; the qualitative phase comprised a systematic qualitative meta-synthesis and semi-structured expert interviews analyzed via thematic analysis and open, axial, and selective coding; the quantitative phase involved developing a researcher-made questionnaire, testing measurement and structural models using PLS-SEM, and ranking factors with the Friedman test. Structural model results indicated that all identified dimensions exert significant effects on university internationalization (t>1.96, p<0.001) with strong overall model fit (GOF≈0.48). Friedman ranking placed macro-level policymaking and managerial structure as the top priority, followed by scientific diplomacy, student support infrastructure, education quality, international reputation, cultural dimensions, academic mobility, and human resources. University internationalization is a multidimensional construct that, in emerging markets, hinges primarily on macro-level governance, scientific diplomacy, and supportive infrastructures; prioritizing these levers can accelerate universities’ effective integration into the global higher education landscape.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nasih Najib (Corresponding author); Mehran Rezvani, Hamid padash, Babak Ziya (Author)
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