Strategic direction from the university context and the SDG4: Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The article analyzes the state of knowledge between university strategic direction and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4. It identifies a disconnect between the two and asks the question: How have scientific production and the articulation between university strategic direction and SDG 4 been addressed?
Methodology: A bibliometric study was based on the Web of Science (WoS) database, given its high academic impact; it covered articles from 2015–2024 and assessed author output, country output, and keyword co?occurrence using VOSviewer and Tree of Science.
Results: The role of university strategic direction for the achievement of SDG 4 is acknowledged. However, few studies contribute to the conceptual approach of the topic, and they omit strategic elements and indicators for implementation.
Implications: The review identifies a gap in university-context literature compared to other SDGs. The results point university managers and researchers toward designing strategies that advance SDG 4 in higher education.
Originality: The article provides a broad vision of the integration and updating of bibliometric analysis between strategic direction and SDG 4.