Title: Creating a competitive advantage in Higher Education Institutions: proposal and test of a conceptual model

Authors: Emerson Wagner Mainardes, Joao M. Ferreira, Gerson Tontini

Addresses: Management and Economics Department, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Estrada do Sineiro, Polo IV, 6200-209 Covilha, Portugal. ' Management and Economics Department, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Estrada do Sineiro, Polo IV, 6200-209 Covilha, Portugal. ' Center of Social and Applied Sciences, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), PPGAd, campus I, sala D-102, Rua Antonio da Veiga, 140, 89012-900, Victor Konder, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract: The present research aims to propose and test a conceptual model that explains the process of identification of competitive advantages in a Higher Education Institution (HEI). The paper identified the players connected to these institutions and the internal and external factors that create competitive advantage in a HEI. A case study of a HEI is analysed. The main contribution of this study is the adaptation of three theoretical approaches of the business strategy field to the higher education sector. The findings show evidence that, to be competitive, a HEI should have a stronger connection between resources, territory, and stakeholders.

Keywords: competitive advantage; educational services; strategic management; higher education institutions; educational administration; educational strategies; conceptual models; internal factors; external factors; business strategy; resources; stakeholders; territorial competitiveness; Brazil; education management; universities; competitive edge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2011.039482

International Journal of Management in Education, 2011 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.145 - 168

Published online: 12 Feb 2015 *

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