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Constructing Symbolic Value Through Categorization Tools: The Role of Rankings in Building Business School's Reputation

Author

Listed:
  • Syed Haider Khalil

    (Assistant Professor, Institute of Business and Leadership Studies, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.)

  • Fahad Sultan

    (Deputy Director, Institute of Business and Leadership Studies, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.)

  • Muhammad Tufail

    (Assistant Professor, Institute of Business and Leadership Studies, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.)

Abstract

Investigating rankings in the field of business education, we aim to examine field structuration process to understand how categories build symbolic value in an institutional field. We selected twenty reputed business schools from Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) through purposive sampling method. Adopting the concept of data triangulation, we gathered empirical evidences through interviews with business school marketing managers, academic experts in the field of marketing and reputation, and with industry experts. This data was further supplemented by variety of secondary sources such as internal student surveys, annual reports, newsletters and industry reports to perform a thematic analysis adopted in this study. Thematic analysis helped us to develop a model of institutional work and field level change by emphasizing on the key role categorization systems (rankings) in shaping perceptions of symbolic value (reputation). Our findings suggest, categorization tools create a contest at different levels. Consequently, it redefines the perception about value in the field. The current study may be useful for academia and Higher Education policy-makers by providing them with a theoretical understanding of categorization systems such as university rankings and the changing perception of value in the field.

Suggested Citation

  • Syed Haider Khalil & Fahad Sultan & Muhammad Tufail, 2018. "Constructing Symbolic Value Through Categorization Tools: The Role of Rankings in Building Business School's Reputation," Global Social Sciences Review, Humanity Only, vol. 3(3), pages 354-377, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gss:journl:v:3:y:2018:i:3:p:354-377
    DOI: 10.31703/gssr.2018(III-III).20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hayagreeva Rao, 1994. "The Social Construction of Reputation: Certification Contests, Legitimation, and the Survival of Organizations in the American Automobile Industry: 1895–1912," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(S1), pages 29-44, December.
    2. Linda Wedlin, 2006. "Ranking Business Schools," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3941.
    3. Ellen Hazelkorn, 2007. "The Impact of League Tables and Ranking Systems on Higher Education Decision Making," Higher Education Management and Policy, OECD Publishing, vol. 19(2), pages 1-24.
    4. AfDB AfDB, . "Annual Report 2012," Annual Report, African Development Bank, number 461.
    5. Hemsley-Brown, Jane & Goonawardana, Shivonne, 2007. "Brand harmonization in the international higher education market," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(9), pages 942-948, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rankings; Reputation; Categorization; Institutional Work; Symbolic Value; Business Schools;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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