Competition in Education: A Strategic Analysis of the Competitive Advantages of Private Schools

ABSTRACT The research aims to identify the competitive advantages of private schools and analyse their priorities and effects using multi‐criteria decision‐making methods. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, the research follows an exploratory sequential design. A phenomenological design was used in the qualitative phase, while Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Decision‐Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method were utilized in the quantitative phase. The study group comprises administrators working in various private schools. Qualitative data were collected from 15 administrators through semi‐structured interviews, while 24 participants took part in the quantitative phase. The findings highlight the decisive importance of the academic competence advantage, in which the qualified teaching staff emerges as the most significant source of advantage. Moreover, this dimension occupies a central position within the competitive balance through reciprocal interactions with other dimensions, serving as the core competitive advantage. While the physical and economic resource advantages stand out with their driving influence, the marketing, brand, and advertising advantage has been identified as the most dependent and externally influenced dimension. These findings suggest a model applicable in global contexts of intense competition.