What makes organizations so similar? We contend that the engine of rationalization and bureaucratization has moved from the competitive marketplace to the state and the professions. Once a set of organizations emerges as a field, a paradox arises: rational actors make their organizations increasingly similar as they try to change them. We describe three isomorphic processes-coercive, mimetic, and normative—leading to this outcome. We then specify hypotheses about the impact of resource centralization and dependency, goal ambiguity and technical uncertainty, and professionalization and structuration on isomorphic change. Finally, we suggest implications for theories of organizations and social change.

The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields (Chinese Translation)

This paper first introduces the general condition of world international students and analyzes the reasons and motivations that drive students of developing countries away from home. Then it discusses the impacts of 9 · 11 on international student flow and the changes in the EU brought about by the "Bologna initiatives". Next, the author addresses the issue of American studying abroad. Finally, the author introduces the "new transnationalism" and the impacts on the international higher education market.

Higher Education Crosses Borders

Studying in overseas universities or colleges presents international students with exciting opportunities; however, with these opportunities come challenges that they need to overcome. The purpose of this review is to summarize the challenges of international students. Drawing on the existing literature since the year 2000, this article addresses several challenges confronting international students within some top sending countries and receiving countries. The challenges are categorized into pre-departure, post-departure, and post-study to create a model of the issues of international students. The findings revealed a plethora of challenges including some common ones such as obtaining accurate information, admission procedure, and preparing documents for VISA while preparing for study abroad. Similarly, international students have to deal with language, financial challenges, and cultural adjustment when they are in host countries. Uncertain future and paperwork are the major challenges after graduation.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1222429.pdf

Challenges of International Students from Pre-Departure to Post-Study: A Literature Review

Unwelcome on campus? Predictors of prejudice against international students.

Exploring graduate students’ socialization to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The authors in this qualitative study explored how Saudi Arabian students Saudi Arabiaselected a teaching focused research institution by examining Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and US national influences, institutional factors, and personal influencers Despite the continued rise in Saudi Arabian students studying at US universities, limited published research exists on this unique student population This study on Saudi graduate students reconceptualizes the homogenous perspectives on international student mobility It demonstrates that study abroad decisions are not made from just push-pull or economic factors but through culturally specific social processes involving various actors both in and beyond their home country as well as intermediaries that is indicative of a more collectivist society

/pdf/collectivists-decision-making-saudi-arabian-graduate-bxuc3by493.pdf

Collectivists’ Decision-Making: Saudi Arabian Graduate Students’ Study Abroad Choices

Through an exploratory sequential mixed-methods case study of 1 midsize research university, this study models how to use research to assess student experiences of campus climate and then create new opportunities that address their needs on campus. The purpose of this study was to explore Saudi graduate students’ experiences and their interactions with U.S. faculty, staff, and students. Participants cited mostly positive interactions with faculty and staff, but limited or negative interactions with U.S. students, including incidents of direct and indirect discrimination, a lack of cultural and religious understanding, and pervasive gender stereotypes for Muslim women who veil. The study offers implications for higher-education administrators and faculty to improve campus climate for 1 population of international students.

Breaking the Silence: Saudi Graduate Student Experiences on a U.S. Campus.

Hurricanes are natural disasters with the potential to cause damage to property and lead to the loss of lives. The New Orleans government requires a preparedness plan that would outline the measures to be taken by the government in the event of a hurricane. The plan is especially important given that the city is vulnerable to such calamity and the levees plans are no longer effective. New Orleans is situated in a floodplain which makes it vulnerable to floods when a tropical cyclone hits the region. The levees further make the place more threatened because they have disrupted the deposit of silt from the River Mississippi making the place sink further in the era of rising sea level. It is evident from hurricane Katrina that government officials need to be conversant with disaster plans for successful evacuation. However, key limitations to the success of this measure include the lack of adequate public transport and the fact that some members of the community ignore the warnings. The Earth Systems Engineering and Management (ESEM) principles of continuous learning, resiliency, long-term investment and systems and artifacts are essential for building practical infrastructures that can withstand strong hurricanes. It is recommended that the New Orleans government engage public officials in disaster planning, ensure there is enough public transport for evacuating the citizens and create an effective plan for resilience.

Yousef Almutairi

Papers

Collectivists’ Decision-Making: Saudi Arabian Graduate Students’ Study Abroad Choices

Breaking the Silence: Saudi Graduate Student Experiences on a U.S. Campus.

New Orleans Hurricane Evacuation Plan