The influence of international education on workplace integration and organisational commitment: the case of Vietnam

The number of educated local employees in Vietnam's workplaces has been growing, reflecting the rising popularity and value placed in gaining higher education (HE) qualifications. In responding to employment opportunities, individuals regard higher education as a means of equipping themselves with the skills and competencies required to succeed in their respective workplaces.  They earn such qualifications, either from local universities or from foreign institutions. They may earn HE qualifications internationally by going abroad or enrolling themselves locally at an offshore branch campus of a foreign university or joining in a twinning or joint program offered through a collaborative arrangement between foreign and local academic institutions. Accordingly, employees educated in local institutions are introduced in this thesis as 'locally educated local staff' or LELS and others with international HE qualifications as 'internationally educated local staff' or IntELS.    <br><br>  Using a mixed research method incorporating qualitative and quantitative methods, the thesis examines the relationship between the degree of exposure to international higher education of local staff and the level of their workplace integration and degree of organisational commitment. This study is the first known research project that focuses on identifying and recognising the existence of LELS and IntELS in the local workplace. <br><br> The study develops an understanding of locally educated and internationally educated local staff experience and challenges they face in integrating themselves into the workplace while assessing their level of organisational commitment. The data reveal that, despite confirming that IntELS' international education exposure is their strength, many find employment conditions and their treatment by home country  employers as challenging and unsatisfying, making it difficult for IntELS to commit to their organisations. The study also reveals that the integration and commitment levels are relatively higher for LELS compared to their IntELS counterpart.  <br><br> This study has implications for both local and international higher education providers with respect to their curricula and how they prepare graduates for their respective workplaces. In practice, the research is important to employers in order to better understand and develop tailored approaches for successful integration of staff with HE qualifications at the workplace. The research also has implications for governments in terms of the importance and appropriateness of international education provision for its citizens and businesses. Specifically, it also assists IntELS to learn about their international education journey and its impact on their career and workplace integration. <br><br> There were limitations in the research. During the data collection process, the researcher faced difficulties in accessing up-to-date information and data in Vietnam. Being a non-native researcher in Vietnam, the researcher was also confronted with some communication difficulties while collecting the qualitative data. This study, then, opens up the opportunity of further research, including longitudinal study, to learn how LELS and IntELS integrate effectively in the workplace over time.