Application of Engineering Management Principles in Research and Innovation Governance in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review
- 1 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 2 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 3 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 4 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 5 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 6 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
- 7 Graduate School Department, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan, Philippines
Abstract
The rapid transformation of higher education institutions (HEIs) into drivers of innovation has intensified the need for structured governance frameworks. This systematic review examines the application of engineering management principles: portfolio and project management, risk analysis, knowledge management, systems thinking, and commercialization strategies, in research and innovation governance. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 52 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were analyzed from Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. Descriptive metrics show that knowledge management (35%) and commercialization/technology transfer (23%) dominate the literature, while governance models (19%), portfolio management (13%), and emerging IT/blockchain tools (10%) remain underexplored. Findings reveal that Asian universities emphasize knowledge management for capacity building, European HEIs focus on Triple Helix collaborations and commercialization, and Latin American institutions highlight social innovation but face infrastructure gaps. Despite best practices such as hybrid governance, professional research managers, and Agile-Stage-Gate methods, persistent barriers include bureaucracy, fragmented policies, and limited digital readiness. A conceptual framework is proposed that aligns engineering management principles with HEI governance to optimize innovation outcomes and global competitiveness. Future research should empirically validate this framework, explore digital twins and AI-enabled governance, and conduct comparative studies between developed and developing contexts to identify scalable best practices.
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