Abstract:

This work intends to take an innovative approach in the study of the impact that higher education institutions (HEIs) have on quality of life (QoL) of the regions where they are located. Accordingly, it intends to fill a gap in the literature regarding HEIs and QoL. The research evolved in two steps. In first place, diverse stakeholders (academics, politicians, economic agents) were heard to identify the measuring instruments. At this stage, it was granted that stakeholders remember the differences between before and after the creation of the institutions. Then, with the previously defined instruments, a questionnaire was developed and applied in 2021 to 550 persons from all municipalities with at least one HEI. Using a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) in the SmartPLS software, the results were analysed. On one hand, there is evidence of a significant positive role played by the society satisfaction with HEIs in QoL of Portuguese Community. On the other hand, from a total of 13 measuring instruments, merely population income and knowledge and skills are promoting satisfaction with HEIs. Accordingly, policymakers should not only keep monitoring and improving the Income and Knowledge and Skills Level in order to promote citizens QoL, but also there is a major need to focus on dimensions such Housing conditions; employment; Environmental Quality; Social Environment; Safety; and Health; among others. The population doesn’t feel that the presence of HEIs is improving these dimensions, despite they were defined by the stakeholders as HEIs’ goals to promote QoL. In short, when the focus is QoL improvements through the presence of HEIs’, the policymakers should focus in promote the development of these six dimensions.

Keywords:

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), PLS-SEM, Satisfaction, Quality of Life.