Rankings and strategic planning: Alignment, impact, and quality of higher education

Contemporary higher education develops within a dynamic environment characterized by constant comparison, global competition, and processes of internationalization. In this context, university rankings have assumed a central role as mechanisms of visibility and legitimation, influencing how institutional reputation is constructed before diverse audiences. The objective of the present research is to analyze the significance and trends of university rankings, the strategies employed by institutions in this domain, the challenges involved in articulating them with strategic development plans, and the contextualized interpretation of rankings to foster their responsible and ethical use in the pursuit of academic excellence. A qualitative exploratory method was applied, focusing on aspects such as the sensitivity of ranking results in institutional decision-making, the impact of universities’ actions to improve their positions in rankings, and the ways in which ranking indicators and methodologies influence institutions’ strategic plans. The study observed whether universities’ efforts to climb in rankings lead to genuine improvements in institutional quality or merely represent superficial changes aimed at enhancing public image. Furthermore, it assessed how rankings affect the objectives set forth in strategic plans. Finally, it is concluded that university rankings must be used responsibly, since their decontextualized interpretation may pose risks for strategic planning. It is essential to ensure that rankings contribute to continuous improvement and to the academic excellence of universities.