Top management team international orientation and internationalization of Universities

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Based on the assumptions of the upper echelons and the stages theories, this study sought to examine the influence of Top Management Team International Orientation (TMTIO) on the Internationalization of Universities (IUs). It also assessed the moderating effect of size, ownership and age of the university on the relationship between TMTIO and IUs in Uganda. Methodology: The study adopted a cross sectional study design and used correlations and regression analyses to examine the influence of TMTIO on the IUs. Data was collected from a total of 30 universities in Uganda using questionnaires which were filled by 134 members of the TMTs in these universities. The study used linear regression to establish the influence of TMTIO and test the effect of size, ownership and age on the IUs in Uganda. Findings: It was found that there is a significant influence of TMTIO on the IUs in Uganda even after controlling for location, age, size and ownership of the university. The findings also showed that there was no significant moderation effect of size, ownership and age on the relationship between TMTIO and IUs. Size was found to have a direct effect on the IUs but neither ownership nor age of the university was found to have any significant effect on IUs. Originality: The study makes a contribution by explaining how TMT members by their international orientation influence IUs in a developing country perspective. It also provides quantitative measurements of internationalization within Ugandan universities.