The Effect of Service Quality in Education on Brain Drain Attitude: A Study on Erasmus+ Students

Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 1 , 167 - 176 , 19.04.2026

Bircan Ergün , Özcan Zorlu , Engin Aytekin

https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2026-11-1-167

https://izlik.org/JA89YR45RK

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of service quality in education (SEQ) on brain drain attitude (BDA) among undergraduate students who participated in the Erasmus+ program. A quantitative approach was adopted, and data were gathered from 127 undergraduate students at a Turkish university. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results revealed that students' perceptions of service quality in their educational institutions positively and significantly affect their brain drain attitudes (β=0.40, p<0.001). These findings suggest that better educational opportunities are a key determinant of students' inclination to migrate to developed countries, which can exacerbate brain drain from less developed nations. Accordingly, it is advised that developing countries invest in improving their education service quality to mitigate brain drain. This study is among the first to empirically examine the relationship between SEQ and BDA in the context of the Erasmus+ program, thereby contributing to the higher education and brain drain literature.

Keywords

Brain Drain , Service Quality in Education , Erasmus+ Program

The effect of service quality in education on brain drain attitude: A study on Erasmus+ students

https://izlik.org/JA89YR45RK

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of service quality in education (SEQ) on brain drain attitude (BDA) among undergraduate students who participated in the Erasmus+ program. A quantitative approach was adopted, and data were gathered from 127 undergraduate students at a Turkish university. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results revealed that students' perceptions of service quality in their educational institutions positively and significantly affect their brain drain attitudes (β=0.40, p<0.001). These findings suggest that better educational opportunities are a key determinant of students' inclination to migrate to developed countries, which can exacerbate brain drain from less developed nations. Accordingly, it is advised that developing countries invest in improving their education service quality to mitigate brain drain. This study is among the first to empirically examine the relationship between SEQ and BDA in the context of the Erasmus+ program, thereby contributing to the higher education and brain drain literature.

Keywords

Brain Drain , Service Quality in Education , Erasmus+ Program.

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