| Title: |
The University Ranking Game in East Asia: The Sensemaking of Academic Leaders between Pressures and Fatigue |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Licia Proserpio (ORCID 0000-0002-1764-9311); Camille Kandiko Howson (ORCID 0000-0003-1045-3655); Marie Lall (ORCID 0000-0002-2868-4534) |
| Source: |
Asia Pacific Education Review. 2025 26(1):159-171. |
| Availability: |
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
13 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Universities; Reputation; Foreign Countries; College Administration; Educational Policy; Fatigue (Biology) |
| Geographic Terms: |
China; South Korea; Japan |
| DOI: |
10.1007/s12564-024-10012-3 |
| ISSN: |
1598-1037; 1876-407X |
| Abstract: |
Rankings dominate higher education policy making, although little is known about the experiences of those involved in perpetuating rankings. This paper explores middle-level academic leaders' sensemaking about university rankings and related policies in East Asia. Since university rankings have affected higher education policies and strategies more intensely in East Asia than in other regions of the world, our research aims to trace the process of meaning construction and reconstruction of the middle-level academic leaders directly involved with the rankings game. Qualitative data have been drawn from in-depth interviews with key informants across elite institutions in three East Asian countries (Mainland China, South Korea and Japan). Our findings show how even in the well performing countries (Mainland China and South Korea) the "ranking fever" has been replaced by the "ranking fatigue". There is no running from rankings, but the paradox of not believing in them but engaging with them has created an affective response that is deeper than lack of trust towards the commercial system of ranking: it is a deeply rooted feeling of fatigue. This is leading the discussion on how to find an alternative to rankings and possibly forge a new path forward for East Asian universities, reshaping the geography of higher education in the region. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1461821 |
| Database: |
ERIC |