The impact of service quality on student retention: The mediating roles of student satisfaction and switching barriers in private universities

Abstract

This research investigated the influence of university service quality, student satisfaction, and switching barriers on student retention within private higher educational institutions situated in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 410 valid questionnaires were collected for analysis, with hypothesis testing conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate a positive relationship between service quality within Vietnamese higher education institutions and student satisfaction. Additionally, student satisfaction has a positive association with student retention and switching barriers. Furthermore, switching barriers exhibit a positive relationship with student retention. Mediation analyses revealed that student satisfaction mediates the link between service quality and student retention, while switching barriers mediate the relationship between student satisfaction and retention. These findings contribute to the extant literature by elucidating the dynamics of service quality, student satisfaction, switching barriers, and student retention within higher educational contexts, particularly in the realm of private universities. Notably, this study establishes empirical correlations among service quality, student satisfaction, and student retention. Noteworthy outcomes include revealing the positive impact of service quality on switching barriers and identifying the robust moderating effect of switching barriers on the relationship between student satisfaction and student retention. From a managerial perspective, the constructs and insights derived from this study offer valuable guidance to the management teams of private universities, facilitating a deeper understanding of the pivotal role played by service quality in influencing student satisfaction and retention. Consequently, these insights can inform the strategic direction of private educational institutions in Vietnam.