Rankings play a fundamental role in various areas of our society, influencing decision-making, perceptions, and resource allocation. Here are some key areas where rankings have a significant impact:
- Education: rankings of universities and colleges influence student enrollment, faculty recruitment, and research funding,
- Student evaluation: PISA-like assessments have a direct impact on educational policy decisions,
- Businesses: firms are ranked based on their financial performance, market share, customer satisfaction, etc., which affect stock prices, investor confidence, and consumer choices,
- Economies: countries are ranked by indicators such as GDP, competitiveness, ease of doing business, human development, etc. which influence foreign investment, trade agreements, and diplomatic relationships,
- Healthcare: hospitals are ranked by quality of care, patient outcomes, and medical expertise, which influemce patient decisions and medical tourism,
- Sports: athletes and sports teams are ranked based on performance, records, etc., which influence fan loyalty, sponsorships, the decisions of athletes, TV rights, etc.
- Tourism: cities and countries are ranked based on factors like cultural attractions, safety, and infrastructure, which influence international perception,
- Media and Entertainment: movies, music, literature, are ranked by critics and audiences, influencing popularity, sales, and cultural impact…
These and many other examples highlight the pervasive nature of rankings and their influence on various aspects of society. However, despite these perceived benefits, rankings come with their complexities and challenges.
This Jakin-mina seminar aims to explore the flaws that can arise when rankings are taken at face value, while also examining potential ways to approach them more critically and thoughtfully. In the pursuit of this understanding, we will try to respond to the following research question: Are rankings inherently flawed, or can they be reimagined in ways that celebrate diversity and robustness? Is there a place for objective measurement in a subjective world?