Challenges and Development Pathways of International Education Alliances Initiated by Chinese Universities of Finance and Economics: A Case Study of the Alliance for Economics and Management Education (AEME)

Abstract

International education alliances initiated by Chinese finance and economics universities represent a significant form of higher education internationalization. This paper takes the Alliance for Economics and Management Education (AEME) as a case study and draws on resource dependence theory and neo-institutional theory to systematically examine the alliance's organizational structure, operational mechanisms, and developmental challenges. The findings indicate that the alliance still face challenges in membership composition, institutionalization, governance structure, depth of collaboration, informatization, and responses to external constraints. Accordingly, the paper proposes pathways including building an open multi-stakeholder structure, advancing substantive institutionalization, transitioning to Multi-Center Governance, developing flagship programs, leveraging artificial intelligence for governance, and expanding cooperation space through a professional community.