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Measurement of Higher Education Competitiveness Level and Regional Disparities in China from the Perspective of Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • Sun Yi

    (School of Management, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, 430077, China)

  • Qin Ting

    (Liuzhou Institute of Technology, Liuzhou, 545616, China)

  • Zhang Jinxin

    (Business School, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China)

  • Yang Kailong

    (Business School, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China)

  • Zhu Xiaoyue

    (Business School, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China)

Abstract

The competitiveness of higher education is an important symbol to measure the level and potential of economic and social development. Enhancing the competitiveness level of higher education is an important driving force to improve our education system and realize the high quality and sustainable development of higher education. At present, the measurement and multi-dimensional comprehensive analysis of China’s higher education competitiveness are relatively scarce. Higher education system is a complex system composed of multiple factors. This article uses DPSIR model to transform the complex system operation mechanism into a relatively simple description. The TOPSIS method considers the weights and interrelations among the indicators. It is able to fully consider the importance of the indicators. This method can not only avoid the influence of subjectivity and uncertainty but also evaluate the decision scheme more comprehensively. The study uses panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2008 to 2020 and utilizes the DPSIR model to construct a multidimensional evaluation index system for measuring China’s higher education competitiveness level. The entropy weight TOPSIS method is employed to measure the higher education competitiveness level and analyze its spatiotemporal patterns. Traditional and spatial Kernel density estimation methods, as well as Markov chain analysis, are used to explore the dynamic evolution and long-term transfer trends of higher education competitiveness levels. The Dagum Gini coefficient is employed to analyze the differences and sources of higher education competitiveness level. The research findings indicate that China’s overall level of higher education competitiveness shows an increasing trend, with the eastern region having a significantly higher level compared to other regions. This study suggests integrating the concept of sustainable development, facing the gaps between regions, adopting tailored development strategies, and reducing the disparities in higher education competitiveness among regions. These policy insights aim to provide theoretical references and foundations for enhancing China’s higher education competitiveness level as well as promoting high-quality and sustainable development in higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun Yi & Qin Ting & Zhang Jinxin & Yang Kailong & Zhu Xiaoyue, 2024. "Measurement of Higher Education Competitiveness Level and Regional Disparities in China from the Perspective of Sustainable Development," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:econoa:v:18:y:2024:i:1:p:22:n:1001
    DOI: 10.1515/econ-2022-0122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiantong Zhao & Hongbiao Yin & Chenyang Fang & Xu Liu, 2021. "For the Sustainable Development of Universities: Exploring the External Factors Impacting Returned Early Career Academic’s Research Performance in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Yingfei Yang & Yingfei Yang & Michal Fabuš & Ki-Hyung Bae & Mengze Zhang, 2020. "A diamond model based analysis for improving the sustainable competitiveness in educational exports by Chinese colleges and universities," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 7(3), pages 1858-1871, March.
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