Aligning strategy, management, and pedagogy

A grounded theory of sustainability learning in short-term ASEAN mobility

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/qpgrnk78

Keywords:

ASEAN Economic Community, higher education internationalization, international student mobility, Indonesia, Singapore, sustainable development education

Abstract

Aligned with the ASEAN Economic Community’s (AEC) vision for regional integration and sustainable development, universities are expected to advance internationalization through mobility, research, and community engagement. However, the sustainability learning outcomes of short-term mobility programs remain underexplored. This case study examines a six-week hybrid mobility initiative between an Indonesian private university and a Singaporean partner. Using a grounded theory approach and discussions with students and staff, the study explores how program design and institutional support shape outcomes. The findings indicate that students gained modest benefits, including social connections and introductory sustainability, but learning was constrained by compressed timelines and unclear roles. Staff highlighted the need for clearer prioritization and stronger alignment with institutional goals. The study proposes a model in which outcomes depend on the alignment of strategy, program management, and pedagogy, offering a framework to strengthen short-term hybrid mobility programs in ASEAN higher education and beyond.

Author Biographies

  • Lea Simek, BINUS Business School

    LEA SIMEK is the Deputy Head of International Business Management - Global Class track at BINUS Business School, Indonesia. She focuses on enhancing the global learning ecosystem. Previously, as the International Student Engagement Manager, she developed outreach and support for degree-seeking international students. Her research focuses on intercultural and global competencies in international higher education management. She examines these topics in new and expanding study destinations. Lea holds a master’s degree in Global Studies from Leipzig University, Germany. Corresponding email: lsimek@binus.edu

  • Mita Adhisti, BINUS University

    MITA ADHISTI is the Engagement and Reputation Officer under the Office of the Vice-Rector of Collaboration and Global Engagement at BINUS University, Indonesia. Focusing on enhancing internal communication and engagement, she has developed various content that supports the university’s internationalization efforts and strategic collaboration. Her previous experience includes lecturing in economics and working as an export analyst with a master’s degree in Applied Economics (International) from The University of Adelaide, Australia. Corresponding email: mita.adhisti@binus.edu

References

Aamaas, Å., Duesund, K., & Lauritzen, S. M. (2019). Placements abroad and scaffolding structures. Studies in Higher Education, 44(3), 539–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2017.1387106

Adams, K., & Lanford, M. (2021). Reimagining global partnerships in higher education through open systems theory. Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education, 13(5), 108–123. https://doi.org/10.32674/jcihe.v13i5.4273

Almassri, A. N. (2024). Scaling research and practice of scholarships impact for peace: The role of theory. International Journal of Educational Research, 128, 102467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102467

Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN]. (2015). ASEAN 2025: Forging ahead together. https://asean.org/book/asean-2025-forging-ahead-together/

Bingham, A. J. (2023). From data management to actionable findings: A five-phase process of qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231183620

Bista, K., Sharma, G., & Gaulee, U. (2018). International student mobility: Examining trends and tensions. In K. Bista (Ed.), International student mobility and opportunities for growth in the global market (pp. 1–14). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-3451-8.ch001

Chankseliani, M. (2018). The politics of student mobility: Links between outbound student flows and the democratic development of post-Soviet Eurasia. International Journal of Educational Development, 62, 281–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2018.07.006

Chankseliani, M., & Kwak, J. (2025). The ripple effect: Understanding the societal implications of international student mobility. International Journal of Educational Research, 129, 102520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102520

Cseh, M., Crocco, O. S., Engel, L., & Follman, J. (2024). Preparing a globally competent workforce: A mixed methods study of an innovative cocurricular university program. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 27(1), 5-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223241296186

Davies-Vollum, K. S., Ribchester, C., Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., & Raha, D. (2023). Virtual mobility to enhance intercultural competencies for a more sustainable future. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(5), 833–847. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2224770

Falasca, M., & Carnicero, S. (2024). Developing global citizenship through transformational telecollaborative projects in K-12 education. In: M. Falasca & K. Baum (Eds.), Current trends in global education: Bridging K-12 and higher education for an interconnected world (pp. 92–107). STAR Scholars Press.

Grover, P., Phutela, N., & Yadav, M. (2025). Role of faculty in collaborative online international learning (COIL) – A pedagogical tool for internationalization at home (IaH). Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 17(1), 469–482. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-04-2023-0141

Grund, J., Singer-Brodowski, M., & Büssing, A. G. (2024). Emotions and transformative learning for sustainability: A systematic review. Sustainability Science, 19(1), 307–324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-023-01439-5

Harvey, W. B., & Stiff, L. V. (1985). Examining opportunities for mobility for professional staff in state universities. Innovative Higher Education, 10(1), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00893465

Hernández-Torrano, D., Hajar, A., & Yassenbekova, K. (2024). Mapping research on international student mobilities in higher education: Achievements and the agenda ahead. International Journal of Educational Research, 128, Article 102482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102482

Hong, B., Bista, K., & Timmons, P. (2025). Mapping the scholarship on international students: Systematic review of past publications in the Journal of International Students (2011–2024). Journal of International Students, 15(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.32674/sfwrch85

Institutional documentation. (2024–2025). Descriptions of sustainability-oriented mobility initiatives. Website materials archived by the focal university. Details withheld to preserve anonymity.

Jackson, J. (2014). The process of becoming reflexive and intercultural: Navigating study abroad and reentry experience. In: J. S. Byrd Clark & F. Dervin (Eds.), Reflexivity in language and intercultural education: Rethinking multilingualism and interculturality (pp. 43–63). Routledge.

Knight, J. (2008). Higher education in turmoil: The changing world of internationalization. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789087905224

Liu, Q., & Zou, N. (2022). Further convergence management to build a more resilient education system for international students at Tsinghua University in COVID-19 pandemic period. Journal of International Students, 12(S1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS1.4609

Marco-Gardoqui, M., Eizaguirre, A., & García-Feijoo, M. (2020). The impact of service-learning methodology on business schools’ students worldwide: A systematic literature review. PLoS ONE, 15(12), e0244389. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244389

Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 1997(74), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401

Moura, C. O., de, Silva, Í. R., Silva, T. P. da, Santos, K. A., Crespo, M. da C. A., & Silva, M. M. da (2022). Methodological path to reach the degree of saturation in qualitative research: Grounded theory. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 75(2), e20201379. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-1379

O’Flaherty, J., Liddy, M., Tansey, L., & Roche, C. (2011). Educating engaged citizens: Four projects from Ireland. Education + Training, 53(4), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400911111138442

Office of International Affairs, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta [OIA UPNVY]. (2023, August 23). P2A mobility in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). https://www.oia.upnyk.ac.id/agenda/p2a-mobility-in-the-unitied-nations-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs

Rakhshandehroo, M., & Enkhtur, A. (2024). Novel online pedagogical tool: Integration of collaborative online international learning in CLIL. In: M. Falasca & K. Baum (Eds.), Current trends in global education: Bridging K-12 and higher education for an interconnected world (pp. 120–134). STAR Scholars Press.

Rodríguez Aboytes, J. G., & Barth, M. (2020). Transformative learning in the field of sustainability: A systematic literature review (1999–2019). International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 21(5), 993–1013. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2019-0168

Roy, A., Newman, A., Ellenberger, T., & Pyman, A. (2019). Outcomes of international student mobility programs: a systematic review and agenda for future research. Studies in Higher Education, 44(9), 1630–1644. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1458222

Scott, W. R., & Davis, G. F. (2015). Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural and open systems perspectives. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315663371

Simek, L. (2024). A systematic literature review of global education challenges (2004-2024): Toward communities of practice. In: M. Falasca & K. Baum (Eds.), Current Trends in Global Education: Bridging K-12 and Higher Education for an Interconnected World (pp. 30-51). STAR Scholars Press. https://doi.org/10.32674/3x65bs14

Simek, L., & Stewart, W. H. (2024). International Student Recruitment and Support in Indonesia: A Systematic Review of Literature from 2012–2022. Journal of Studies in International Education, 28(5), 818–834. https://doi.org/10.1177/10283153241235706

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques (1st ed.). Sage.

Sugden, R., Valania, M., & Wilson, J. R. (2013). Leadership and cooperation in academia: Reflecting on the roles and responsibilities of university faculty and management. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Tran, L. T., & Phan, H. L. T. (2024). Conceptualizing mobility as becoming, connecting and contributing: Australian New Colombo Plan scholars learning abroad in the Indo-Pacific region. International Journal of Educational Research, 127, 102429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102429

Vertovec, S. (2009). Transnationalism. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203927083

Von Bertalanffy, L. (1972). The history and status of general systems theory. The Academy of Management Journal, 15(4), 407–426.

Wu, H., Garza, E., & Guzman, N. (2015). International student’s challenge and adjustment to college. Education Research International, 2015(1), 202753. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/202753

Yamin, K. (2024, January 24). Universities chase ‘world class status’ but lack funds. University World News. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20240124125713987

Zhang, H., & Gibson, H. J. (2021). Long-term impact of study abroad on sustainability-related attitudes and behaviors. Sustainability, 13(4), 1953. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041953

Downloads

Published

2026-03-10

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 10 (2026): Journal of International Students

Section

Research Articles (English, regular edition)

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Lea Simek, Mita Adhisti

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) [year] [author]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

How to Cite

Simek, L., & Adhisti, M. (2026). Aligning strategy, management, and pedagogy: A grounded theory of sustainability learning in short-term ASEAN mobility. Journal of International Students, 16(10), 105-132. https://doi.org/10.32674/qpgrnk78