Specifics of educational service: sociological analysis of the interest groups in Russian and Austrian schools

Abstract

The article presents the results of a comparative sociological study describing educational services as a phenomenon; questionnaire and expert poll were used to conduct the study which took place in Russian (Yekaterinburg) and Austrian (Innsbruck) schools among teachers, administrative stuff, graduates and their parents. To determine the methodology of the study, the authors apply the term “service” to the educational activities. According to the author`s point of view, the analysis of educational activities through the prism of “educational services” makes it important to harmonize the interests of all participants of the educational process. The empirical study identifies the areas of connection and dissonance among participants of the educational process. The greatest degree of the harmonization of the group interests in Russian and Austrian gymnasiums is found within the respondents` understanding of the delayed effect of the educational service (skills needed in the future self-actualization in the society). The author defines the interest groups` mismatching areas in the analysis of the educational process. Russian and Austrian respondents assess the students` capacities in a different way and disagree on the students` evaluation criteria. The weaknesses and growth areas were detected in both Russian and Austrian educational institutions