Why "best practices" don't translate

Higher education across the world is experiencing unprecedented policy and program borrowing. The reason - emerging higher education institutions and systems attempt to copy U.S. or European practice believing this is the best way to leap frog into the ranks of quality institutions. The only problem is that, as the recently released Enhancing Student Learning and Development in Cross-Border Higher Education (Roberts & Komives, 2016) indicates, western higher education practices don't always transfer well.

Although coming from a for profit business perspective, a recent Harvard Business Review article, "Why Best Practices Don't Translate Across Cultures," makes the same point - don't count on transferability of even the greatest ideas. The author advises:

• Focus on the intent of the practice, not specific behaviors.
• Have a cultural liaison help translate the practice.
• Stive for compatibility, not replication.
• Support experimentation.

Higher education scholars/administrators around the world can learn much from each other. Starting with Roberts & Komives and observing these straight-forward four principles will help in the transfer, adaptation, hedging, or avoidance of practices across cultures/borders.