The extent to which the Balanced Scorecard can be used to evaluate performance in a Saudi university: A field study

 
This research examines the use of the Balanced Scorecard in a University (AK University) in southern Saudi Arabia, to determine the extent to which the university’s performance aligned with its four dimensions (axes). The collected data (66 paragraphs) was divided according to four dimensions: financial, customers (students), internal operations, learning and growth. Its validity and reliability were verified by a group of specialists. The study population comprised 90 staff members and leaders, and data obtained from 48 respondents for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study population were academic leaders, including deans of faculties, support deanships, agents and heads of departments. The resulting analysis showed the participants’ estimations concerning the potential for using the Balanced Scorecard to evaluate the university’s performance. The study tool overall was evaluated at a medium degree with an arithmetic mean (2.88). In terms of dimensions, learning and growth achieved first place, with a mean of (3.16), and internal operations was given second place, with a mean of (3.01), and in third place were clients with a mean of (2.84), and the financial dimension came in last place with an average of (2.51). Several recommendations emerged, the most important being to improve the efficiency of the financial dimension by focusing on establishing external partnerships and cooperating with the private sector to increase its financial resources.