Global university rankings and strategic planning: a case study of Australian institutional performance

• Published in: Journal of higher education policy and management Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 478 - 494
• Main Author: Dowsett, Leah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.07.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Annual Reports; Australia; Case studies; Colleges & universities; Comparative Education; Competition; Educational Quality; Foreign Countries; Global Approach; Higher Education; Institutional Evaluation; League tables; Longitudinal studies; Market positioning; Marketing; Periodicals; planning; Ratings & rankings; Reputation; Strategic Planning; strategy; Student Recruitment; Universities; University administration; University planning; University rankings; University role; Australia
• ISSN: 1360-080X; 1469-9508
• DOI: 10.1080/1360080X.2019.1701853

Institutional league tables, such as the Academic Ranking of World Universities, have become part of the global higher education landscape. This article discusses findings from a longitudinal study examining four Australian universities over a fifteen year period which traces how international rankings have come to be articulated in university strategy. Through an analysis of annual reports and strategic plans, this inquiry highlights the impact of rankings on the institutions, with a particular focus on their research strategy. The selected universities demonstrate that they act strategically in how they seek to both influence and respond to annual ranking releases. The results show that specific changes in strategic direction not only improve a university's market position but can also contribute to a significant rise in their rank.