What is value in Higher Education? Studying scientific production through co-word analysis

Abstract

The concept of applied value in Higher Education has sparked extensive debate, focusing on its societal and individual benefits. This study explores four key approaches to value in scientific research: co-creation of value, social value, novel teaching techniques and technology, and the perceived value of universities among students and graduates. Using bibliometric analysis, the research examines the dominant perspectives in the literature and the multifaceted understanding of value in Higher Education. The study aims to (i) analyze the structural dynamics of research themes from 1979 to 2023 and (ii) identify emerging trends in the field over time. A sample of 848 papers from the Web of Science database was analyzed using SciMAT software, employing co-word analysis to assess keyword co-occurrence. Findings reveal that service and marketing paradigms dominate the literature, alongside substantial research on perceived value and its relationship with satisfaction. Additionally, recent trends highlight the increasing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the dynamics of co-creation, and the effects of marketization, including pricing and resource allocation. This research offers insights into the evolving concept of value in Higher Education, emphasizing its complexity and ongoing transformation.