Title: Web ranking performance perspectives of Malaysian higher education institutions' stakeholders

Authors: Alexander Ugochukwu Ubaka; Baharudin Kadir; Ibrahim Kamal Abdul Rahman; Ilham Sentosa

Addresses: Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 1016, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 1016, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 1016, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 1016, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: The need to analyse the scope and variety of HEIs' digital footprints became clearer with the introduction of web ranking initiative. Our previous study highlighted the need for HEIs to assess their past web ranking performances to ensure the promotion of the already acknowledged academic mission (teaching, research, and transfer). Having observed significant variations in the web ranking performance of Malaysian HEIs (especially those whose performance is expected to be at par with other high performing institutes), and most web ranking studies highlighting the need for scholars to have significant web presence, the present study was conducted to explore the views of Malaysian HEIs' academics on web ranking. Interviews and surveys were used for data collection from purposively and randomly selected academics. The findings of the current study suggests: 1) the need to communicate and getting the buy-in on the importance of web ranking performance; 2) the need to develop appropriate policies and infrastructure; 3) the need to take strategic view of web ranking performance as a long-term promotional tool.

Keywords: Malaysia; HEIs; academics; web ranking; web presence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2021.116904

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2021 Vol.14 No.3, pp.275 - 299

Received: 26 Sep 2020
Accepted: 16 Feb 2021
Published online: 05 Aug 2021 *

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