Strategic Management Practice in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review of Trends
Keywords:
Higher Education Institution, leadership, Digital Transformation, Systematic Literature ReviewAbstract
This study aims to systematically review and synthesize research on strategic management practices in higher education from 2010 to 2025. The global higher education sector has undergone rapid transformation, driven by advancements in digital technologies, increasing institutional flexibility, intensified competition, evolving business models, paradigm shifts in teaching and learning, broader access and diversification, and heightened governance complexities. These changes underscore the growing need for strategic approaches that enable higher education institutions to remain resilient, innovative, and responsive within an increasingly dynamic environment. Following the PRISMA 2020 framework, total of 62 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Emerald Insight, SpringerLink were selected for analysis. Thematic coding using NVivo were employed to identify prevailing research patterns. The findings reveal five dominant themes in strategic management within higher education institutions: (1) strategic leadership, (2) governance and accountability, (3) performance measurement, (4) digital transformation, and (5) institutional sustainability. Building on these insights, this study proposes a conceptual model that highlights the roles of strategic leadership and governance in enhancing institutional performance and sustainability through digital transformation. Future research directions and managerial implications are also discussed to strengthen the effectiveness of strategic management within higher education institutions.
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