Title: Strategic pathways to world-class universities: the moderating role of national strategic planning on talent, governance, and resources

Authors: Basheer Al-haimi; Kyle S. Wells; Daing Nasir Ibrahim; Mohd Rashid Ab Hamid

Addresses: Azman Hashim International Business School, University Technology Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 54100, Malaysia ' School of Business, Utah Tech University, 225 South University Ave., Saint George, Utah, 84770, USA ' Oxus University, Tashkent, 100000, Uzbekistan ' Faculty of Industrial Management, University Malaysia Pahang, Gambang, 26300, Malaysia

Abstract: This study examines Malaysia's efforts to achieve world-class university (WCU) status through national strategic planning (NSP). Based on the resource-based view (RBV) theory posited by Barney (1991), this paper focuses on the sustained competitive advantages of talent, governance, and resources. It explores the role of NSP as a moderating variable. Data were collected via a digital survey of 126 senior managers from 28 public and private universities in Malaysia, with responses analysed using structural equation modelling and descriptive statistics. The results show that talent and governance significantly enhance WCU's status, while resources have a limited impact. NSP strengthens the influence of talent and governance but has minimal effect on resources. These findings underscore the need for policies prioritising international talent recruitment, faculty retention, and autonomous governance while emphasising strategic alignment between national and institutional goals to elevate higher education standards.

Keywords: WCUs; world-class universities; NSP; national strategic planning; talent; governance ; resources; higher education policy; university governance; global university rankings.

DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2025.152713

Journal for Global Business Advancement, 2025 Vol.17 No.5, pp.533 - 554

Received: 30 Apr 2025
Accepted: 30 Sep 2025
Published online: 07 Apr 2026 *

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