Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications

Chinese students usually face risks from various aspects in the process of studying abroad. The use of the analytic hierarchy process alone ignores the interplay between the influencing factors and lacks systematic thinking about the identification of key influencing factors due to the intricacies o...

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Main Authors: Hongwei Li, Lei Wang, Junhong Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sociology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1610036/full
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author Hongwei Li
Lei Wang
Junhong Gao
author_facet Hongwei Li
Lei Wang
Junhong Gao
author_sort Hongwei Li
collection DOAJ
description Chinese students usually face risks from various aspects in the process of studying abroad. The use of the analytic hierarchy process alone ignores the interplay between the influencing factors and lacks systematic thinking about the identification of key influencing factors due to the intricacies of the factors affecting and constraining these risks. Therefore, we utilize the DEMATEL method and cross-reinforcement matrix to improve the weights obtained from AHP and to enhance the accuracy and scientific rigor of the weight vectors. Finally, five factors with the largest weights of risk factors affecting international students are identified through the analysis. They are self-management ability, language ability, policy of the host country, economic conditions of the host country, and values. Appropriate risk response countermeasures are proposed to reduce the risk potential of international students based on the results. Exploring the risk factors affecting students studying abroad can provide a reference for Chinese students to predict and control the risks of studying abroad. It can also provide support for international institutions to recruit, manage, and assist Chinese students.
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spelling doaj-art-cf7ca8b18a4c4115bc6ab4fa05c252d12025-07-10T05:30:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-07-011010.3389/fsoc.2025.16100361610036Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implicationsHongwei LiLei WangJunhong GaoChinese students usually face risks from various aspects in the process of studying abroad. The use of the analytic hierarchy process alone ignores the interplay between the influencing factors and lacks systematic thinking about the identification of key influencing factors due to the intricacies of the factors affecting and constraining these risks. Therefore, we utilize the DEMATEL method and cross-reinforcement matrix to improve the weights obtained from AHP and to enhance the accuracy and scientific rigor of the weight vectors. Finally, five factors with the largest weights of risk factors affecting international students are identified through the analysis. They are self-management ability, language ability, policy of the host country, economic conditions of the host country, and values. Appropriate risk response countermeasures are proposed to reduce the risk potential of international students based on the results. Exploring the risk factors affecting students studying abroad can provide a reference for Chinese students to predict and control the risks of studying abroad. It can also provide support for international institutions to recruit, manage, and assist Chinese students.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1610036/fullChinese student studying abroadkey risk factorsAHPDEMATELcross-reinforcement matrix
spellingShingle Hongwei Li
Lei Wang
Junhong Gao
Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
Frontiers in Sociology
Chinese student studying abroad
key risk factors
AHP
DEMATEL
cross-reinforcement matrix
title Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
title_full Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
title_fullStr Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
title_full_unstemmed Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
title_short Identifying key risk factors for Chinese international students: a hybrid AHP–DEMATEL–cross-reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
title_sort identifying key risk factors for chinese international students a hybrid ahp dematel cross reinforcement matrix approach with policy implications
topic Chinese student studying abroad
key risk factors
AHP
DEMATEL
cross-reinforcement matrix
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1610036/full
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AT junhonggao identifyingkeyriskfactorsforchineseinternationalstudentsahybridahpdematelcrossreinforcementmatrixapproachwithpolicyimplications