Evaluating Strategic Efficiency to Create Meaningful Futures: A Conceptual DEA Model for Comparing Higher Education Prioritization Across Contexts

Aldo Valencia (), Violeta Cvetkoska (), Bojan Kitanovikj (), Ljupcho Eftimov () and Alison Pearce ()
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Aldo Valencia: Northumbria University
Violeta Cvetkoska: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics
Bojan Kitanovikj: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics
Ljupcho Eftimov: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics
Alison Pearce: Northumbria University

A chapter in Advanced Data Analytics, Machine Learning and AI in Business, 2026, pp 489-502 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Forward-looking and participatory approaches are critical to build organisational resilience in times of high uncertainty and ambiguity. Strategic prioritization plays a crucial role in institutional effectiveness, resource management, and long-term competitiveness. However, the efficiency with which higher education institutions (HEIs) set and execute strategic priorities varies across different economic, cultural, and institutional landscapes. Identifying the factors that contribute to or hinder efficient prioritization is essential for improving decision-making processes and ensuring sustainable development in higher education. This study conceptualizes a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to evaluate the efficiency of strategic prioritization across HEIs in diverse global contexts. Focusing on institutions from Chile, Estonia, Ireland, Kenya, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, we assess how external factors, cultural dimensions (power distance, individualism/collectivism), economic indicators (GDP per capita, economic freedom), and institutional characteristics (regulatory quality, digital infrastructure quality) influence strategic alignment. Composite prioritization scores, based on two expert focus groups will serve as outputs, enabling a comparative efficiency analysis. Benchmarking and slack analysis are expected to provide insights into prioritization gaps and highlight opportunities for improving strategic decision-making in HEIs. The forthcoming results of this study are particularly relevant to higher education leaders, policymakers, and researchers in operational and strategic management to refine governance and optimize institutional performance. Furthermore, this research contributes to the analytics field by showcasing DEA’s applicability in evaluating and improving strategic efficiency in complex, multi-context environments.

Keywords: Strategy; Data Envelopment Analysis; Performance Evaluation; Strategic Prioritisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-23493-3_30

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