Optimization of Behavioral Segmentation-Based Omnichannel Strategies in Managing the Student Journey Experience at Private Universities in Indonesia: A Conceptual Review

  • Muhammad Ardiansyah Universitas Muhammadiyah Karanganyar, Karanganyar, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Amir Anshori Universitas Muhammadiyah Karanganyar, Karanganyar, Indonesia
Keywords: Omnichannel Strategy; Higher Education; Student Experience; Behavioral Segmentation; Student Journey

Abstract

The increasing reliance of students on both digital and physical channels necessitates private universities to manage interactions and services in a more integrated and cohesive manner. An omnichannel strategy represents a relevant approach; however, its implementation in higher education institutions remains largely partial and predominantly focused on marketing communication. As a result, it has yet to effectively manage the student journey experience in a comprehensive manner. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework for optimizing omnichannel strategies based on student behavioral segmentation in managing the student journey experience at private universities in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative approach, this research adopts a narrative literature review guided by PRISMA principles, examining scholarly publications from the past five years indexed in the Scopus and SINTA databases. The findings indicate that omnichannel integration lacking a behavioral understanding of students tends to produce experiences that are generic, fragmented, and unsustainable. This study concludes that behavioral segmentation should be positioned as a fundamental basis for strategic decision-making in omnichannel management, enabling the design of contextual and consistent student experiences across all stages of the academic journey. The implications of this research provide a conceptual foundation for universities to develop adaptive, cross-channel integrated student experience management systems that support the sustainability of long-term relationships between institutions and students.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ailawadi, K. L., & Farris, P. W. (2017). Managing multi- and omni-channel distribution: Metrics and research directions. Journal of Retailing, 93(1), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2016.12.003

Beck, N., & Rygl, D. (2015). Categorization of multiple channel retailing in multi-, cross-, and omni-channel retailing for retailers and retailing. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 27, 170–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2015.08.001

Becker, L., & Jaakkola, E. (2020). Customer experience: Fundamental premises and implications for research. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(4), 630–648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-019-00718-x

Bleier, A., Harmeling, C. M., & Palmatier, R. W. (2019). Creating effective online customer experiences. Journal of Marketing, 83(2), 98–119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242918809930

Bolton, R. N., McColl-Kennedy, J. R., Cheung, L., Gallan, A., Orsingher, C., Witell, L., & Zaki, M. (2018). Customer experience challenges: Bringing together digital, physical and social realms. Journal of Service Management, 29(5), 776–808. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-04-2018-0113

Bugshan, H., & Attar, R. W. (2024). Social commerce and omnichannel marketing: Antecedents of student engagement in higher education branding. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 76, 103567.

Cai, Y.-J., & Lo, C. K. Y. (2020). Omni-channel management in the new retailing era: A systematic review and future research agenda. International Journal of Production Economics, 229, 107729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107729

Cao, L., & Li, L. (2015). The impact of cross-channel integration on retailers’ sales growth. Journal of Retailing, 91(2), 198–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2014.12.005

Gao, L., & Bai, X. (2021). A unified perspective on the factors influencing consumer acceptance of omnichannel retailing. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 58, 102324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102324

Gensler, S., Neslin, S. A., & Verhoef, P. C. (2017). The showrooming phenomenon: It’s more than just about price. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 38, 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2017.01.003

Harahap, D. A., & Amanah, D. (2018). Online shopping behavior in Indonesia: A case study. JRMSI – Indonesian Journal of Science Management Research, 9(2), 193–213. https://doi.org/10.21009/JRMSI.009.2.02

Herhausen, D., Binder, J., Schoegel, M., & Herrmann, A. (2015). Integrating bricks with clicks: Retailer-level and channel-level outcomes of online–offline channel integration. Journal of Retailing, 91(2), 309–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2014.12.009

Huré, E., Picot-Coupey, K., & Ackermann, C.-L. (2017). Understanding omni-channel shopping value: A mixed-method study. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 39, 314–330.

Hutabarat, P. M., Altamira, M. B., & Adelina, E. (2021). Utilization of omnichannel marketing strategies in higher education institutions. Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia, 9(1), 1–10.

Isbahi, M. B., Zuana, M. M. M., & Toha, M. (2024). The Multi-Social Relation of the Cattle Industry in the Plaosan Subdistrict Animal Market of Magetan Regency. Malacca: Journal of Management and Business Development, 1(1), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.69965/malacca.v1i1.51

Lemon, K. N., & Verhoef, P. C. (2016). Understanding customer experience throughout the customer journey. Journal of Marketing, 80(6), 69–96. https://doi.org/10.1509/jm.15.0420

McLean, G., & Wilson, A. (2019). Shopping in the digital world: Examining customer engagement through augmented reality mobile applications. Computers in Human Behavior, 101, 210–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.07.002

Mirković, M., & Čudanov, M. (2024). Omnichannel marketing strategies in higher education: Bridging the gap between physical and digital campus experiences. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(2), 310–328.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Palacio, M. A., & Abad, M. (2023). Understanding the Gen Z student journey: From social media discovery to enrollment. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 33(1), 1–19.

Pauwels, K., & Neslin, S. A. (2015). Building with bricks and mortar: The revenue impact of opening physical stores in a multichannel environment. Journal of Retailing, 91(2), 182–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2015.02.001

Payne, E. M., Peltier, J. W., & Barger, V. A. (2017). Omni-channel marketing, integrated marketing communications and consumer engagement. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 11(2), 185–197. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-08-2016-0091

Santoso, A. B., & Rahmawati, D. (2024). Transformation of higher education marketing strategies toward Society 5.0: An omnichannel approach. Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 5(2), 112–125.

Setiawan, R. A. (2024). Optimizing big data for segmenting prospective student behavior in the digital era. Journal of Information Systems and Business, 8(1), 20–35.

Tueanrat, Y., Papagiannidis, S., & Alamanos, E. (2021). Going on a journey: A review of the customer journey literature. Journal of Business Research, 125, 336–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.028

Verhoef, P. C., Kannan, P. K., & Inman, J. J. (2015). From multi-channel retailing to omni-channel retailing: Introduction to the special issue on multi-channel retailing. Journal of Retailing, 91(2), 174–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2015.02.005

Wedel, M., & Kannan, P. K. (2016). Marketing analytics for data-rich environments. Journal of Marketing, 80(6), 97–121. https://doi.org/10.1509/jm.15.0413

Published
2026-06-16
How to Cite
Ardiansyah, M., & Anshori, M. A. (2026). Optimization of Behavioral Segmentation-Based Omnichannel Strategies in Managing the Student Journey Experience at Private Universities in Indonesia: A Conceptual Review. Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics (IIJSE), 9(2), 15822-15832. https://doi.org/10.31538/iijse.v9i2.10227