Process-Based Administrative Management in Higher Education: A SALSA-Guided Literature Review

Abstract

This article presents a systematic literature review on process-based administrative management in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), employing the SALSA method (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis). The study spans publications from 2010 to 2024, selected from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, as well as institutional and regulatory sources. An initial set of 150 documents was analyzed, of which 60 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing scientific articles, doctoral theses, books, and technical reports. The synthesis reveals that process-based administrative management enables more efficient resource alignment, fosters continuous improvement, and enhances the adaptive capacity of HEIs in dynamic environments. Moreover, this approach supports an organizational culture oriented toward results and educational quality. However, gaps persist regarding the systemic implementation of integrated models that articulate structural, human, and technological components, particularly in the Latin American context. The study concludes that a properly systematized process management model, supported by information technologies, can significantly strengthen operational efficiency, institutional sustainability, and the fulfillment of academic missions.