Analyzing the Effectiveness of Performance Measurement Indicators in Emerging Universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the factors influencing the effectiveness of performance measurement indicators in emerging universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on five newly established universities. A survey was administered to faculty members to gather their views on these factors, and the data were analyzed using SPSS. The sample comprised 387 valid responses. The findings revealed no statistically significant differences between the domains of “development and establishment of performance indicators” and “characteristics of performance measurement indicators” across universities. However, significant differences were found in the domains of “fulfillment of performance indicators,” “the contribution of performance indicators to benchmarking,” and “the effectiveness of performance indicators.” Additionally, significant differences emerged between the domains of “development and establishment of performance indicators” and “characteristics of performance measurement indicators,” as well as between “fulfillment of performance indicators,” “the contribution of performance indicators to benchmarking,” and “effectiveness of performance indicators.”

The results further indicated that “benchmarking” and “fulfillment of performance indicators” represent the two key factors affecting the effectiveness of performance measures, while the inclusion of “characteristics of performance indicators” enhanced the model’s ability to explain variations in their effectiveness.

Key recommendations include: conducting deeper analyses of variables influencing performance indicators, examining relationships among domains without significant differences, and expanding research to diverse academic institutions. Universities are also urged to strengthen benchmarking and indicator fulfillment, and to update indicator characteristics for greater flexibility and clarity in line with academic and technological changes.