The use of the multiple knapsack problem in strategic management of a private Polish university

Abstract

Purpose In the literature, there are many methods that can be helpful in strategic management of universities. Some of them are related to the aspect of sustainability, in terms of balancing the level of fulfillment of different, often conflicting objectives, which must be considered when building strategies. These methods include product/service portfolio ones. However, their use is often intuitive and detached from the quantitative aspects of management. The purpose of this paper is to present a proposal of the modification of the portfolio methods through the use of one of discrete optimization problems, namely, the multiple knapsack problem. The proposal is applied to a selected university. The results are presented and discussed. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology consists in a conceptual work: combining non-quantitative portfolio methods used in strategic management and the quantitative multiple knapsack problem. The analogy is established between a market sector (capacity) and a knapsack (capacity), a university department value and an object value, the university improvement budget and a knapsack, an object cost and an improvement measure cost. Then, the case study is used to conduct an initial validation of the proposed approach. Findings A quantitative model for strategic management of university as a whole or university departments is proposed. It allows to plan and control the application of improvement measures, allowing the university units to take on a better position in the educational market. It has been initially applied to a small university. Research limitations/implications The model requires much more real-world case studies. Also, it will usually be difficult to establish the cost of running individual university units as well as the cost of corrective measures. The capacity of knapsacks – here of market sectors – will also be difficult to calculate. The method to be used here is activity-based costing, but it will not solve all the problems immediately, as its practical application is difficult. Practical implications The proposed model will allow to plan and evaluate strategic changes of university as a whole and its units’ position using quantitative values and to consider various strategic scenarios. Social implications In order to establish the data necessary to construct the model, various stakeholders will have to cooperate (the university promotion department, the accounting representatives, the student and industry representatives etc.), probably for the first time. Such cooperation will improve the university position even if the model itself will not be able to be applied immediately. Originality/value The link between portfolio methods and a quantitative optimization method for university management purposes has been established in the paper for the first time in the literature.

A Systematic Literature Review: University Strategic Management

“…According to [22] reported on the application of the many knapsack problem to strategic management at a private Polish institution. The use of portfolio strategic position analysis methodologies in conjunction with the multiple knapsack problem to analyze a university's existing strategic position and potential for improvement was recommended.…”

Experiencia en la implementación de un modelo de dirección estratégica en educación superior

“…Por otra parte, Velázquez et al (2015) destacan "la necesidad que las universidades dediquen mayores esfuerzos a la aplicación de enfoques estratégicos que sean más adaptables y dinámicos que los que tradicionalmente han sido utilizados" (p. 93) y que, a su vez, estos procesos también puedan ser evaluados (Abesada y Almuiñas, 2016). De igual manera, Kuchta et al (2019) plantean la necesidad de administrar y formular estrategias, considerando tanto las externalidades de la institución, así como su potencial organizativo interno. En definitiva, estos autores evidencian algunas características y etapas fundamentales que deben considerar los modelos de dirección institucional.…”

Improving the Effectiveness of e-Learning Processes through Dynamic Programming: A Survey

“…The goal is to allocate each element to at most one of the knapsacks so that none of the capacity restrictions are assaulted and to maximize the overall profit of the elements placed in the backpacks [18]. When the university develops her strategic administration to plan and apply optimization procedures, this enables the university to be ranked in the education list [19]. In 2019, Dorota et al in [19] proposed a model which is quantitative for university managing strategy as an entire or university section.…”

“…When the university develops her strategic administration to plan and apply optimization procedures, this enables the university to be ranked in the education list [19]. In 2019, Dorota et al in [19] proposed a model which is quantitative for university managing strategy as an entire or university section. This study's methodology is gathering qualitative methods utilized in the administration strategy and the quantitative multiple knapsacks.…”