Title: Strategic direction for high demand degrees: an analysis of the US pharmacy degree competitive market

Authors: Karen L. Pellegrin, John M. Pezzuto

Addresses: College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, HI 96720, USA. ' College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Abstract: Porter|s competitive analysis and strategic positioning are applied to the high demand pharmacy degree in the USA. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that there are significant differences between pharmacy programs positioned in the Top 25 (per US News and World Report) compared to others in variables that represent Porter|s two primary generic strategies: differentiation and cost leadership. There are significant differences between Top 25 and other pharmacy programs on differentiation (competitive research awards), but not on cost (tuition). However, post hoc analysis using public institutions only demonstrated significant differences on both measures. Overall, the results support Porter|s theory.

Keywords: generic strategies; competitive forces; Michael Porter; pharmacy programmes; high demand degrees; tuition; rankings; competitive analysis; strategic positioning; competitive markets; USA; United States; strategic direction; differentiation; cost leadership; research awards; education management; higher education; universities; competitive edge; competitiveness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2011.039490

International Journal of Management in Education, 2011 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.285 - 300

Published online: 12 Feb 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article