Globalization of Higher Education: a Study of Internationalization Approaches as Reported by the Directors of International Office in NEASC Accredited Doctorate Granting Universities in New England

The purpose of this research was to examine what internationalization approaches directors of international offices report as being used at NEASC accredited doctorate granting universities in New England. This research was guided by Knight's (2004) conceptual framework of internationalization approaches. Of the entire doctorate granting universities in New England 31 universities participated in the survey. Multi-site case studies were conducted in three universities. Results revealed that directors of international offices reported four internationalization approaches of activity, competency, process, and ethos consistently used across campuses. They reported that activity approach was predominantly used to internationalize the campus. A lack of connection between each of these approaches was also accounted. This research concluded that all these four approaches were important for effective and comprehensive internationalization. The study recommended that each of these processes be related and linked to each other for effectiveness. Future research is recommended on the credibility of using the internationalization approaches model as a framework for effective comprehensive campus internationalization. This research is significant to three overarching areas namely a) educational leadership for implementing effective internationalization on university campuses, b) social and organizational change in the light of internationalization, and c) generation and extension of knowledge base regarding internationalization.