Theoretical considerations on university management strategy as a scientific outcome

Abstract

Introduction: The concept of strategy, originating in the military field, has been adopted by the educational sciences as a fundamental scientific outcome for solving practical problems through systematic and theoretically grounded actions. In the context of higher education, university management strategy evolves to integrate the substantive processes of teaching, research, and community engagement, responding to the demands of a globalized environment and the evaluation models of regulatory bodies. Materials and methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted through a systematic review of the scientific literature from the last five years. Theoretical methods such as analysis-synthesis, historical-logical, and abstract-concrete analysis were employed, as well as document analysis. The review focused on scientific articles, doctoral dissertations, and books indexed in high-impact databases such as Scopus, SciELO, and Redalyc. Results: The analysis allowed for the characterization of strategy as a system of flexible, evidence-based actions structured in stages (planning, implementation, and control). Guiding principles such as flexibility, a systems approach, relevance, and contextualization were identified. Modern university management strategy transcends the administrative to focus on the integration of key processes, as evidenced in a comparative analysis of models in the United States, Spain, Colombia, and Cuba. Discussion: It is confirmed that contemporary university management must be a dynamic and adaptive process that, based on administrative and educational theories, allows for the interconnection of its core functions to fulfill its social mission. Strategic planning and the use of tools such as SWOT analysis are crucial for decision-making and institutional adaptation. Conclusions: University management strategy, as a scientific outcome, is a complex system guided by principles and foundations that seeks institutional improvement through the integration of its key processes. Its implementation varies according to the national context, ranging between decentralized and centralized models, but with a common objective of quality and social relevance.