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International Student Retention Problem
Michael Whitener
School of Liberty University
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
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Abstract
Student retention is a problem identified by the McGregory education agency. The problem affects international students and is a significant problem affecting the organization's credibility. In finding a solution for the problem, the organization has to look at the problem at different vantage points. This means the use of various theories like structural, system, culture, and political theories. This will ensure a thorough investigation of the student retention problem offering a viable solution to the problem. Using the different theories to explore the problem allows the decision-maker to change their vantage points and see the other side of the problem. Additional valuable information can be obtained from the different vantage points.
Keywords: International students, student retention, structural theories, system theories, culture theories, political theories
International Student Retention Problem
International student retention is a big problem for education agencies. Retention is an important indicator of student success (Fass-Holmes, 2016). The indicator is usually measured as the period the student has been in school since enrolment, the first year, and the completion of the program. Retention rates are generally used for accountability purposes, especially in enrollment-related funding. Therefore, international student retention is a significant problem for the academic institutions and the education agencies that help the students secure placement in community colleges and universities. McGregory educational agency identified the problem of retention and should use four lenses of theories in getting the solutions to the problem. The use of different vantage points is an effective way of coming up with a solution to the issue at hand. The various theories allow the decision-maker to change their vantage points and see the other side of the problem.
Structural Theories
The international student retention problem is tied to the application process at the organization. The application process is not thorough enough at McGregory educational agency and fails to identify the various loophole that international students can use. This starts at the organization, where the decision-makers should establish why there is a problem with the process. This makes the problem an issue with the chain of command as the leadership is tasked with coming up with strategies that will work. Effective leadership is about providing direction and guidance (Alan, 2007). The leadership should therefore be held accountable for any issues with the processes.
The first lens looks at the problem from within the structure of the organization. The problem identified at McGregory educational agency has been made more significant due to the various failures at the organization. This shows the concern within the span of control of the organization. These can be due to the organization's level of reporting, where fewer reporting levels can lead to better results. The organization has various departments which are tasked with different roles. These roles make the departments work effectively. The problem can be tied to the departments as specific departments are tied with looking at the application process. Therefore, it should be established if the jobs at the departments overlap one another, leading to problems with the evaluation of international students.
The problem is tied to the way decisions are made in the organization. This is because the decisions about the evaluation of international students is a significant decision in the organization. A centralized decision making has decision making concentrated in a few people, usually the leaders at the top. Major decisions in the organization are usually the prerogative of the leadership which shows the problem is due to a centralized system.
Systems Theories
System theories look at the various systems within the organization and whether they are part of the problem. The problem is tied to the output cycle of the organization. The output cycle is tasked with the management of resources in the organization. The management of resources ensures the products and services are of good quality, and the customers are satisfied. The main problem is the application process which is not thorough. This shows the resources of the organization, including the staff and equipment, are not well utilized. However, the problem is not tied to the organization trying to step beyond its genotypic function.
The maximization principle states that human wants are unlimited, and people strive towards maximizing their satisfaction. In business maximization, principles look at behaviors by entrepreneurs in maximizing their profits (Burling, 1962). The problem is related to the maximization principle, as the processes might have been shortened to maximize the organization's profits. The organization is not reinvesting. The problem is tied with ignoring the environment. The issues presented o student retentions have been in the industry for ages. This is something the organization would have implemented strategies to look at the problem.
International students lack the proper information about America's education structure. This knowledge, if provided, would reduce the problem of international student retention drastically. The economic environment shows that financial issues are to blame for the student retention issue. The assessments fail to check for the financial viability of the student. The social environment has been identified as the behavioral variation among students. The sectors are not being ranked according to some measures. The international students are clustered under one group of international students.
Culture Theories
The problem is not tied to culture collision in the organization. This can be explained as the problem is not because of power corrupting people but more of a process issue. McGregory educational agency identified the application process as the source of the student retention rate problem. There are two departments within the organization, one dealing with local students and looking at international students. Both the departments are facing similar issues with student retention. However, the international student department is looking at more significant numbers when it comes to student retention.
The problem is also not tied to shaping or reshaping culture. This is both an employee and managerial problem that can be looked at and solutions for the issue. The problem is also not tied to job descriptions as it does not affect a person or group within the organization. The problem is more of a process than the duties of an individual or group within the organization.
Political Theories
Political theories look at the power and its influence in the systems. This looks at whether they are related to the problem. Political theories should also give an understanding of whether power is corrupting people within the organization. The problem is not associated with power pathologies in the organization. Power is used in creating change in organizations and to influence the employees. The problem is not related to creating change or influencing the employees. Therefore, power is not corrupting the people within the organization. However, power does affect decision-making within the organization. There are no unhealthy coalitions or alliances that may affect the organization or lead to the problem. The case presented about the organization shows that there is a proper flow of information. The problem is not tied to some people responding to power and influence efforts in the organization.
Critical Assessment
The theories presented help in looking at the problem from different vantage points. They enable one to get to the root cause of the problem. The structural theory shows the problem emanates from the chain of command, while the system theory also shows the problem can be from the various systems within the organization. In developing a strategy to tackle student retention, the different organization structures will have to be looked at. The theories can be summed up as 50% structural, 40% systems, 1% cultural, and 9% political.
Summary
The root cause of the problem is the decision-making in the organization. Managers usually fail half the time when making decisions (Power & Mitra, 2016). However, successful managers can turn bad decisions into strategic decisions for the business.
Structural theory
The structural theories were able to show the problem emanates from decision-making in the organization. This is why the application process has not been thorough previously, leading to issues in retention.
Systems Theories
The system theory shows the problem is tied to the output cycle in the organization. The application of the process is flawed, showing the use of the resources within the organization is lacking.
Culture Theories
Culture theories do not apply to the problem. This is because the problem is not about power corrupting the people within the organization or the improper flow of information.
Political Theories
Power is not an influence on the problem, neither does it play a part in the issue. This is why political theories do not apply to the problem.
Conclusion
The structural theory was useful in the identification of the root cause of the problem. The theory showed the organization structure, including the impact of decision-making in the organization. Decisions play a vital role in the success of the business (Skyrius, 2001). The approach used by the company was from decision-making by the management. The systems theories show some of the input in the organization, like employees and other resources. When these resources are effectively used, the organization prospers as there is a better process. This shows the resources were underutilized or ineffectively used.
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