Revisiting corporate universities: Strategic choices shaping performance in telecom

Abstract

Corporate universities (CUs) have evolved significantly over the past century, yet empirical studies examining their impact on corporate performance are notably sparse. This study addresses this gap by applying two alternative quasi-experimental designs - Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Synthetic Control Group (SCG), to assess CU's strategic value. By examining 18 listed European telecom companies and 80 Spanish corporations across various industries during the 2004 to 2018 time span, this paper presents a comparative analysis of CU implementation effects within different corporate environments. Our findings indicate that CU establishment is a strategic choice for better corporate performance, identity, and strategy rather than an isolated educational investment. The results offer a better understanding of CU's strategic role, especially in sectors characterized by rapid technological change and the need for strategic human capital development. This study contributes to both empirical knowledge and methodology, proposing innovative ways to explore the effects of strategic decisions like CUs on corporate performance, and enhancing the dialogue between strategic human resource management and corporate investors in the scholarly and managerial domains.