Results-Based Strategic Planning as a Decision-Support Framework for Global University Ranking Criteria: Evidence from Leaders’ Perceptions in Arab Universities

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between the application of results-based strategic planning in Arab universities and global university ranking criteria, as perceived by academic and administrative leaders. The study was conducted on a sample of 108 academic and administrative leaders from ten Arab universities that appeared in major international rankings — the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, Shanghai Ranking), the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS World University Rankings, and Webometrics — during 2018–2020. The study adopted the descriptive-analytical approach and used a questionnaire to measure results-based strategic planning through eight dimensions: senior management support, scientific research, quality of education, faculty members, students, information technology, social responsibility and self-financial resources. The dependent variable was measured through four ranking-related dimensions: scientific research and international awards, quality of education, university website and financial resources. The results showed high and very high levels of agreement among respondents, with dimension means ranging from 4.02 to 4.61. The results also revealed a strong positive association between results-based strategic planning and perceived global ranking criteria (R = 0.936). Multiple regression analysis indicated that faculty members, students and social responsibility were statistically significant predictors of the overall ranking criteria, while the contribution of the remaining dimensions varied across the four dependent dimensions. Because both variables were measured through the perceptions of the same respondents, the findings are interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. The study recommends that Arab universities adopt results-based strategic planning, link strategic plans directly to global ranking indicators and develop monitoring and evaluation systems that support evidence-based improvement.