COVID-19 and higher education: responding to local demands and the consolidation of e-internationalization in Latin American universities
Journal
Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración
ISSN
1012-8255
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Miguel Cordova
Dinorá Eliete Floriani
Maria Alejandra Gonzalez-Perez
Michel Hermans
Santiago Mingo
Fabiola Monje-Cueto
Karla Maria Nava-Aguirre
Carlos Adrian Rodriguez
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
Abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>This paper aims to provide insights into the internationalization strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latin America.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>This study is based on information from eight leading Latin American private universities. The data were obtained from official sources such as institutional communications and university administrators.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>The authors identify two main issues that HEIs should consider while responding to the pandemic. First, greater attention and resource allocation to the universities' main local stakeholders can affect traditional internationalization activities. Second, a focus on revitalizing foreign partnerships and strengthening “virtual internationalization” can help maintain and eventually increase international presence.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title><jats:p>While this study analyses how these Latin American HEIs responded during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to conduct follow-up studies to shed light on how HEIs are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis as it continues to unfold.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>This study is based on unique information gathered from leading private, not-for-profit HEIs in Latin America, which, contrary to state-owned HEIs or other private institutions in developed economies, have exhibited different means and conditions to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Finally, the authors contribute to the literature on the internationalization of HEIs by discussing the role of a significant disruptive event on the internationalization of higher education and, particularly, business schools.</jats:p></jats:sec>
Subjects
higher education institutions
;
latin america
;
covid-19
;
global crisis
;
online learning
;
e-internationalization
;
instituciones de educacion superior
;
america latina
;
covid-19
;
crisis global
;
aprendizaje en linea
;
e-internacionalizacion