From Roadmap to Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Framework for Implementing Business Intelligence in Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face increasing pressure to transform fragmented information environments into cohesive, data-driven ecosystems that support strategic and operational decision-making. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for implementing Business Intelligence (BI) in HEIs, evolving from a validated roadmap to an integrated ecosystem perspective. Grounded in the Design Science Research methodology, the work combines a systematic literature review, the design of a flexible BI architecture, and an in-depth case study at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). The framework addresses critical factors such as strategic alignment, data governance, and system interoperability, and demonstrates how dashboards and analytics can enhance institutional intelligence and evidence-based management. Results from the UTAD case confirm the framework’s capacity to overcome technical and organisational barriers, enabling the transition from isolated systems to intelligent, interconnected data infrastructures. This research contributes to the literature by bridging theoretical guidelines and practical implementation, providing a scalable reference model to guide BI-driven digital transformation in higher education. It also demonstrates the tangible institutional value of integrated BI ecosystems in supporting more informed, timely, and efficient decision-making.