Optimizing Academic and Administrative Decision-Making in Higher Education through Interactive Dashboards in R Shiny-Connect

Abstract

Objective or purpose: The study aimed to analyze how the implementation of interactive dashboards developed with R Shiny Connect contributed to optimizing academic and administrative decision-making at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia of Costa Rica. Importance of the topic: The research responded to the need to strengthen evidence-based university management in a context where public higher education institutions require integrated, timely, and reliable information to improve their academic, administrative, and accountability processes. Design / Methodology / Approach: An applied, descriptive, mixed-method study was conducted, based on the design of institutional dashboards, the selection of strategic indicators, the analysis of historical data, the incorporation of interactive visualizations, and the assessment of use by course and program coordinators. Main findings or results: The results showed that the developed ecosystem made it possible to integrate academic, financial, and administrative information, improve indicator traceability, facilitate managerial interpretation of data, and anticipate scenarios through prospective dashboards. In addition, the tools received a positive assessment, with high percentages of perceived clarity and relevance, as well as an average Net Promoter Score of 80.6%. Research limitations/implications: The need to advance in interoperability, data governance, and analytical training for users was identified. Practical implications: The study provided a useful tool to support institutional planning, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement. Social implications: The experience promoted more transparent, relevant university management oriented toward the improvement of educational services. Originality/value: The study contributed an innovative and replicable experience of institutional intelligence in a public distance education university. Conclusions: It was concluded that interactive dashboards strengthened evidence-based decision-making and contributed to consolidating an institutional culture of analysis, transparency, and continuous improvement.