The reputation of the German School Helsinki
Zerbinati, Anja (2012)
HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012111715461
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012111715461
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this bachelor’s thesis is to analyse the reputation of the German School Helsinki among parents, alumni and teachers.
The theoretical part covers the definitions of identity, image and reputation from a general viewpoint and offers some details applied to educational institutions. On top of that, what customer satisfaction means from the viewpoint of a school is examined. The emphasis is put on parents and teachers.
In the empirical part both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Parents’ satisfaction with the school was analysed by online questionnaires created with Webropol. All parents of under-aged children, about 450 people, were invited; 155 of them took part in the survey.
The emphasis of the alumni survey, also conducted online, was put on the influence that the education at the German School had on their later life. Participants were invited by an attachment to the alumni newsletter, sent to all registered members. Out of about 500 members, 24 took part in the survey.
The gathered data were analysed with Webropol and MS Excel.
Information concerning teachers’ satisfaction with the German School as their place of work was collected through qualitative research. A total of six voluntarily participating teachers were interviewed.
The research revealed that the German School Helsinki has a good reputation among parents, alumni and teachers and that the majority of the participants would recommend it to other people.
Nevertheless, there are some suggestions for improvement, which are explained in the discussion. In order to get an ongoing impression of the school’s reputation it would be advisable to conduct similar research on a regular basis.
The theoretical part covers the definitions of identity, image and reputation from a general viewpoint and offers some details applied to educational institutions. On top of that, what customer satisfaction means from the viewpoint of a school is examined. The emphasis is put on parents and teachers.
In the empirical part both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Parents’ satisfaction with the school was analysed by online questionnaires created with Webropol. All parents of under-aged children, about 450 people, were invited; 155 of them took part in the survey.
The emphasis of the alumni survey, also conducted online, was put on the influence that the education at the German School had on their later life. Participants were invited by an attachment to the alumni newsletter, sent to all registered members. Out of about 500 members, 24 took part in the survey.
The gathered data were analysed with Webropol and MS Excel.
Information concerning teachers’ satisfaction with the German School as their place of work was collected through qualitative research. A total of six voluntarily participating teachers were interviewed.
The research revealed that the German School Helsinki has a good reputation among parents, alumni and teachers and that the majority of the participants would recommend it to other people.
Nevertheless, there are some suggestions for improvement, which are explained in the discussion. In order to get an ongoing impression of the school’s reputation it would be advisable to conduct similar research on a regular basis.