Towards Understanding University Governance: Answers from Literature

Abstract: This literature review examines the evolution, key milestones, foundational contributions, predominant models, measurement approaches, determinants, interdisciplinary intersections, and global variations in university governance. Drawing on scholarship from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Global South, this paper traces how governance emerged as a distinct research domain in higher education, identifies seminal works and contributors, compares governance frameworks across contexts, and highlights measurement tools and data‐analysis techniques. It also explores recent trends, mediating and moderating variables, implications for policy and practice, and persistent research gaps. The review concludes with recommendations for future inquiry, emphasizing under‐researched regions and longitudinal mixed‐methods studies.