Intercultural Competencies, Management Support, Institutional Strategies and Internationalization Practices of Local Colleges in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19151727Keywords:
internationalization practices, institutional strategies, management support, intercultural competencies, higher education, local collegesAbstract
Internationalization has become a central strategic priority in higher education, requiring institutions to integrate global perspectives into governance systems, academic programs, and institutional services. However, empirical research on internationalization remains largely focused on research-intensive universities, with limited attention given to publicly funded local colleges in developing regions. This study examined the internationalization practices of local government-funded colleges in Northern Mindanao, Philippines, and their relationship with intercultural competencies, management support, and institutional strategies. Using a quantitative descriptive design, data were collected from 296 faculty and staff members across thirteen local colleges through a structured survey instrument with established reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .756–.987). Descriptive statistics were used to determine the levels of the key constructs. Results revealed that respondents demonstrated high levels of intercultural competencies (M = 4.32) and perceived management support (M = 4.07). Institutional strategies were also rated high (M = 3.74), indicating that governance and operational systems supporting internationalization are generally present. However, internationalization practices were only moderately developed (M = 3.14), with stronger institutional commitment and leadership alignment but relatively weaker mobility programs, faculty investment, and external funding mechanisms. The findings suggest that while strategic commitment to internationalization exists, resource-dependent components remain constrained in publicly funded institutions. This study contributes to higher education management literature by highlighting the importance of governance-driven institutional strategies in advancing internationalization in resource-constrained settings and offers policy-relevant insights for strengthening internationalization in local colleges operating under public accountability frameworks.
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