Page 44 - AEI Insights 2020 - Vol. 6, Issue 1

AEI Insights, Vol 6, Issue 1, 2020

Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development
(OECD) has become closer and it is always based on mutual learning and trust as well as
knowledge commitment (Johanson & Kao, 2010; Masum & Road, 2012). The network
approach in international cooperation also helps to develop long-term relationships with
individuals and organisation worldwide (Hadley & Wilson, 2003). Ruzzier, Hisrich, &
Antoncic (2006) stated that networking in internationalisation could be applied to overcome
knowledge, technology, resources and trust issues in the international market.

The important element featured by the network model of internationalisation is the bridging
mechanism (Mtigwe, 2006) which permits continuous internationalisation and allows
multilateral influences on international decision making (Johanson and Mattsson 1988;
Johanson and Vahlne 1990). Networking in internationalisation is divided into three types of
relationships. Firstly, a formal relationship with financial commitment (Rastorgueva, 2014),
secondly, an informal relationship with loose contacts between members and relationship with
other networks members (Birley, 1985) and finally, an intermediary relationship that relates
to influences of third party and indirect connections (Ojala, 2009). There are three vital
rationales or motivations for networking in internationalisation. These are resource and
knowledge sharing, mutual learning and strengthening positions against competitors in the
market (Girdzijauskaite & Radzeviciene, 2014). According to Girdzijauskaitė et al. (2019), the
existing government to government (G-to G) cooperation between nations will innovate to
multilateral partnerships if there are complex activities or actions and multifaceted partners.
This process always happens in higher education internationalisation because it involves
various activities, projects and programmes amongst several parties internally and
internationally. A strong networking between nation and higher education institutions is
required to internationalise higher education. Therefore, it could be deduced that the network
theory of internationalisation is the most appropriate one to apply to higher education
internationalisation at national and institutional level.

Networking for internationalisation of higher education
There are multifaceted administration and bureaucracy, vibrant cooperation and vast
networking dimensions in higher education sector consisting stakeholders at the ministries,
departments, agencies and higher education institutions (Szyszlo, 2016). One of the major
factors affecting the internationalisation of higher education is the recruitment of international
students followed by the benefits for economic and socio-cultural rationale. International
networking plays a crucial role for higher education institutions to work closely with their
international partners to increase international students. The bridging mechanism characteristic
of networking in internationalisation could become a very useful strategy and approach to
increase international students. The market information and penetration tactics are also a
valuable tool of networking in internationalisation to achieve the desired international students.
The intermediary function of networking has assisted higher education providers to gain
information on international students around the world and get them to enrol in higher
education institutions (Sarkar & Perényi, 2017).

The nations involved in the massive internationalisation of higher education emphasises the
development of policies and action plans for international cooperation in higher education
(Kristensen & Karlsen, 2018). Institutional networking between local and foreign higher
education institutions is the fastest way to implement the internationalisation approaches and
strategies (Mader et al., 2013). Girdzijauskaite & Radzeviciene (2014) mentioned that,
currently, the higher education institutions’ networking in internationalisation is an
encouraging type of international cooperation, which creates a pathway to enter the foreign

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