Influence of Worldwide University Rankings on the Strategic Planning of Public Institutions in Thailand

Background: Due to the intense competition that both public and private higher education institutions face, academic administration and strategic planning have gained importance in recent years. Among these are the demands for resilience, sustainability, identity, and quality. Objective: Given the growing globalisation in the education sector and the significance of university rankings in gauging academic excellence and prestige, this study investigates the impact of strategic planning on global university rankings in Thai public institutions. Methodology: The present study used a mixed-methods approach, combining an exploratory and descriptive approach. Thai public universities were selected based on criteria like participation in the global university ranking system. Data were collected using scales, while results were presented in tables. Results: The study showed that global university ranking plays a huge role in influencing strategic planning among public universities in Thailand. However, despite the global rankings motivating Thai universities to enhance their international visibility, academic brilliance, and research output, they also encountered significant constraints, such as limited lecturer resources in specific areas of broader educational goals. Conclusion: This strategic orientation toward rankings could potentially result in opportunities for international collaboration and competitiveness; nevertheless, it could also exacerbate existing disparities within the university. Contribution: This study offers a unique contribution by comprehensively examining the impact of university rankings. It provides a nuanced understanding of the strategic planning by Thai public universities, which may also be applied in universities in developing countries. Key recommendation: This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of global rankings in determining higher education strategies by discussing the implications for policymakers, academic leaders, and stakeholders who aim to compete in the university's global ranking and participate in the global educational environment.