Implications of Stakeholders on the Quality and Governance of University Higher Education: A Critical Analysis

This study investigates the role of stakeholders in the context of higher education. A qualitative research approach is used to analyze the identification of stakeholders, understand their expectations, and examine their interactions. The main objective is to investigate how stakeholders’ needs and expectations can influence the management and success of a higher education institution. The study is carried out using the Cameron–Loureiro & Rebentisch Model, its application to a higher education institution in Ecuador, with information gathered from primary and secondary sources, and its subsequent treatment with qualitative analysis tools, considering different groups of key stakeholders, such as students, professors, administrative staff, graduates, and representatives of government institutions. This provided a detailed understanding of the perspectives and concerns of each stakeholder group. The results of the research revealed several significant findings. Various actors are identified, and their expectations regarding the quality of education, infrastructure, participation in decision-making, and connection to the labor market are analyzed. Tensions and conflicts are also identified between some stakeholder groups, highlighting the importance of effective stakeholder management.