Impact of Quality Assurance on Higher Education Institution Performance: Differences Between Public and Private Institutions

This study aims to distinguish the Quality Assurance Effectiveness (QAE) and the performance of public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), analysing the individual and combined effects of QAE on institutional performance. The originality of this study lies in three main aspects: first, it investigates the current state of QAE and HEIs performance, filling a gap in the literature by comparing them between public and private institutions; second, it addresses the lack of evidence on QAE as a predictor of HEIs performance, exploring its impact from the perspectives of faculty members; third, it applies Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to data collected from Portuguese higher education institutions, revealing significant differences between public and private institutions in both Quality Assurance Effectiveness (QAE) and performance outcomes. The results indicate that management support, faculty engagement, and infrastructure quality are key factors for QAE, positively impacting the performance of HEIs, particularly in research and teaching/learning areas. This study contributes to the literature by providing quantitative evidence on the relationship between QAE and institutional performance. The findings also highlight that the adoption of quality practices by HEIs is influenced by external pressures and the need for legitimacy, as described by the neo-institutional theory. Management implications include strengthening leadership, consolidating quality culture, investing in infrastructure, and promoting faculty development.