Antecedents and consequences of students’ attitudes towards internationally accredited business schools: a signalling theory perspective

ABSTRACT

In this research we attempt to empirically validate a model – using signalling theory – that explains important antecedents and consequences of students’ attitude towards internationally accredited business schools. Using a quasi-experimental design, we collected data from undergraduate students of eight countries across four scenarios. The results of our overall model suggest that students’ concern for achievement is strongly correlated with their attitude towards international accredited schools. Students’ attitude towards accredited business school is a strong predictor of school reputation and legitimacy and both influence their support intentions. The study also indicates that multiple accreditations do not moderate the relationships in our proposed model.

KEYWORDS:

• Accreditation
• reputation
• business schools
• concern for achievement
• student choice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.