University rankings and influence on performance: Comparing perspectives in Chile and Venezuela

Abstract

University rankings are currently considered a measure of comparison university rankings are currently considered a measure of comparison and positioning between institutions, therefore, their study arouses considerable interest. The main objective of this research is to comparatively analyze the perception that experts from universities in Chileand Venezuela have regarding nine dimensions and four context variables that use university rankings, and how they perceive their influence oninstitutional performance. The methodology consists of the statistical analysis of a survey applied to 189 officials of various positions from higher education institutions, of which the 41,2 % correspond to Venezuela and 58,8 % to Chile, who make up a total of 33 institutions between bothcountries. The results reveal that, in general, there are no significant differences in the identified context dimensions and variables, with the exception of the internationalization dimension from the perspective of comparison between countries; secondly, infrastructure from the perspective ofthe public and private spheres. Regarding the context variables, territoriality turned out to be the most significant in relation to the condition of seniority in the institution. It is concluded that these three identified aspects constitute critical success factors to be promoted in the strategic plans of the institutions, in accordance with the particular conditions of each institution.