University management based on intellectual capital: a study case with three Colombian universities

Purpose This study aims to enhance the understanding of university management as a crucial aspect for ensuring the continuous improvement and quality assurance of institutions, considering that universities are knowledge-based institutions and proposing a framework based on intellectual capital and specific university management activities based on its components and measuring these activities in three Colombian universities. The study presents the main activities requiring improvement and identifies common patterns among universities with diverse characteristics in this country. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a multiple-case study design, examining three Colombian universities and utilises Likert-scale surveys to assess management activities in relation to intellectual capital components. A Kruskal–Wallis test reveals significant differences among institutions; however, the data indicate convergence in the main activities that require improvement. Findings The findings reveal convergent results across three Colombian institutions regarding management activities with higher and lower compliance, indicating that these activities require improvement in universities with diverse characteristics. Otherwise, the Kruskal–Wallis test identified significant differences across the universities’ measures, showing that the results are not standardised values across the institutions. Originality/value The innovative aspect of this study lies in identifying management activities based on intellectual capital components to enhance university management and measuring them across three Colombian institutions as well as identifying common patterns that require improvement within these institutions. Unlike most studies, which focus on measuring intangible resources, this research identifies management activities that drive institutional improvement.