An Analysis of Factors Affecting University Reputation: A Case Study of Mongolian Universities

Nyamsuren Purevsuren, Erdenekhuu Norinpel, Purevtsogt Nugjgar, Gerelt-Od Dolgor, Togtokhbuyan Lkhagvasuren, Heemin Park, Altanzul Altangerel () and Chantsaldulam Ravdansuren ()
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Nyamsuren Purevsuren: Department of Telecommunications Engineering, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar 14191, Mongolia
Erdenekhuu Norinpel: Division of Academic Training & Digital Transformation, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar 14191, Mongolia
Purevtsogt Nugjgar: Department of Applied Mathematics, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
Gerelt-Od Dolgor: Department of Mineral Processing and Engineering, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
Togtokhbuyan Lkhagvasuren: Division of Information Database and Marketing, Mongolian Foundation for Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
Heemin Park: Department of Software, Sangmyung University, Cheonan 31066, Republic of Korea
Altanzul Altangerel: Division of Policy for Academic Training & Digital Transformation, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17029, Mongolia
Chantsaldulam Ravdansuren: Department of Cybernetic, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17029, Mongolia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-20

Abstract: A university’s reputation is a key indicator of the quality of its education, the competitiveness of its alumni, its institutional influence in society, and its degree of global recognition, including its ranking and rating among higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world. This not only enhances institutional standing and secures positions in international rankings but also promotes sustainable education practices. In addition, students, their parents, and their partners select universities due to their trust in the reliability of a university’s public reputation and ranking. This study proposes a model to assess a university’s reputation based on specific factors. In this research, the dependent variable is university reputation, the mediating variable is university social responsibility, and the independent variables include the teacher reputation, alumni reputation, research and innovation, and cooperation. A survey of 5902 respondents—including alumni, employers, and parents—offers diverse perspectives on university reputation. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling tools (Smart PLS 4.1 and SPSS 25.0). The findings confirm that social responsibility has a strong and positive influence on university reputation. Furthermore, faculty and alumni reputation, research and innovation, and external collaboration directly enhance universities’ social responsibility. This suggests that social responsibility serves as a key mediating variable in the relationship between institutional capacity and reputation. This study represents the first empirical assessment of university reputation in Mongolia, addressing a notable gap in the literature. By incorporating context-specific insights and stakeholder perspectives, the research offers both theoretical contributions and practical implications. The results provide a foundation for developing regionally responsive strategies to improve the quality of higher education and advance sustainable development goals.

Keywords: educational quality; university reputation; social responsibility; stakeholder perceptions; structural equation modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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