Impact of Corporate Governance on the Performance of Latin American Universities

• Published in: RGSA : Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental Vol. 18; no. 9; p. e07157
• Main Authors: King-Domínguez, Andrea, Améstica-Rivas, Luis, Martínez, Rosa Martha Ortega, Llinas-Audet, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 20.06.2024
• ISSN: 1981-982X; 1981-982X
• DOI: 10.24857/rgsa.v18n9-138

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate, in the Latin American context, the impact of university governance variables on the performance of these organisations, as measured by the result obtained in the QS ranking for Latin America, differentiating between public and private institutions.   Theoretical Framework: The relationship between the attributes of governance and performance has been the subject of different research carried out in the business environment, but not in the university environment.   Method: The methodology adopted in this research is quantitative and experimental. Two statistical methods were applied for the analysis: ordinary least squares (OLS) and Tobit regression. The sample corresponded to all the universities included in the QS ranking for Latin America, year 2020. The data corresponds to secondary sources, such as the websites of the universities analysed and the regulations and legislation of the corresponding universities and countries.   Results and Discussion: The results revealed that attributes such as the independence of the University Council (UC), the way the Rector is appointed and the presence of an independent audit committee have an effect on the performance of these institutions, with differences between the effect caused in public and private institutions.   Research Implications: The results show that these variables should be taken into account in university management to achieve higher performance, incorporating them as good practices for higher education.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on the application of statistical methods in the field of university governance, applied to a specific region, which is Latin America. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate, in the Latin American context, the impact of university governance variables on the performance of these organisations, as measured by the result obtained in the QS ranking for Latin America, differentiating between public and private institutions.   Theoretical Framework: The relationship between the attributes of governance and performance has been the subject of different research carried out in the business environment, but not in the university environment.   Method: The methodology adopted in this research is quantitative and experimental. Two statistical methods were applied for the analysis: ordinary least squares (OLS) and Tobit regression. The sample corresponded to all the universities included in the QS ranking for Latin America, year 2020. The data corresponds to secondary sources, such as the websites of the universities analysed and the regulations and legislation of the corresponding universities and countries.   Results and Discussion: The results revealed that attributes such as the independence of the University Council (UC), the way the Rector is appointed and the presence of an independent audit committee have an effect on the performance of these institutions, with differences between the effect caused in public and private institutions.   Research Implications: The results show that these variables should be taken into account in university management to achieve higher performance, incorporating them as good practices for higher education.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on the application of statistical methods in the field of university governance, applied to a specific region, which is Latin America.