Governance Decision-Making in Private Universities amid China’s Higher Education Reform

Abstract

Amid the ongoing reform of China’s higher education system, the internal governance and decision-making mechanisms of private universities have emerged as critical determinants of educational quality and institutional sustainability. This study constructs an integrated analytical framework linking governance structure, decision-making processes, multi-stakeholder participation, digital governance, and governance performance. Drawing on questionnaire surveys and case studies of 45 private universities across 16 provinces, the research employs regression and structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships. The findings indicate that all four governance dimensions exert significant positive effects on governance performance, with digital governance demonstrating the most substantial impact. Specifically, digitalization enhances decision transparency, procedural rationality, and institutional accountability, functioning as a key catalyst for governance modernization. Based on these insights, a four-dimensional optimization pathway is proposed—emphasizing balanced authority and responsibility, standardized procedures, collaborative participation, and digital empowerment. The study contributes empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives to the discourse on evidence-based and collaborative governance in China’s private higher education sector.