What do international students really want? An exploration of the content of international students’ psychological contract in business education
通过对两所澳大利亚商学院国际学生的质性研究，揭示了心理契约的内容、形成与履行，指出社会与制度来源如何影响契约，以及学术人员、商学院和大学三层机构在履行契约中的角色，帮助商学院管理学生关系并制定可持续招生策略。
International students have a substantial presence in western business schools. Yet, research on international students’ experiences remains sparse. Following recent calls to understand the international student–educational institution relationship, we examine the content, formation, and fulfilment of their psychological contract. We conduct a qualitative study of international students in two Australian business schools with large international student cohorts. The findings indicate that international students use social and institutional sources to create the contract, which, when fulfilled, leads to positive educational and psychological outcomes. Our research contributes to the business and international education literature by identifying the key content of the contract. We also highlight the interconnected roles of three tiers of the institution – academic staff, business school and university – in fulfilling the contract. Knowledge of international students’ psychological contract will help business schools better manage the student–institution relationship and create a sustainable international student expansion strategy.