How Private University Navigates and Survive: Insights from Indonesia

Abstract

Private higher education has been struggling to survive in the era of change by employing various strategies. The present study takes an archival research approach to analyze how private universities respond, adapt, and adjust their strategies to survive and grow during this disruption. Specifically, the data collection process follows the five stages of the historical method: topic selection and evidence collection, evaluation of the source of the evidence, evaluation of the evidence, analysis and interpretation of the evidence; and evidence presentation and conclusion. A systematic content analysis of the strategies undertaken by the private university has resulted in four key typology strategies: survival, synchronizing; stretching, and supremacy. The four strategies are interrelated and may overlap in some cases. However, survival reflects a survival-based strategy. Stretching and synchronizing facilitate survival and provide potential growth, and supremacy strategy provides potential favorable long-term image and relationships with the key stakeholders. These strategies may assist private higher education to survive and grow further in this era of change.