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Inter-ranking reputational effects: an analysis of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) reputational relationship

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  • Vicente Safón

    (University of Valencia)

Abstract

Global university rankings have become a critical factor in the higher education sector, engendering increasing interest and exerting a notable influence over a wide variety of stakeholders. They are presented to different audiences as tools that evaluate and rank universities according to quality. However, some authors are of the opinion that rankings express reputational factors to a large extent. This article presents a model of the intra- and inter-ranking relationships from the perspective of reputation along with an empirical study on two of the most influential rankings: the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Data from these two rankings between 2010 and 2018, and the application of ordinal regressions, provide evidence that both rankings are mutually influential, generating intra and reciprocal reputational effects over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicente Safón, 2019. "Inter-ranking reputational effects: an analysis of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) reputational relationship," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(2), pages 897-915, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:121:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-019-03214-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-019-03214-9
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    2. Jung Cheol Shin & Soo Jeung Lee, 2022. "Different measures of international faculty and their impacts on global rankings," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(11), pages 6125-6145, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rankings; Reputation; Universities; Ordinal regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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