Academic Rankings: implications for university governance of Brazilian Catholic universities

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the implications of academic rankings, as external assessment tools, in the governance structure of Brazilian Catholic universities. For the development of this study, exploratory research was carried out through documentary and bibliographic analyses, taking as reference scientific production found in indexed bases, federal legislation, apostolic constitutions, canon law, statutes, regulations and Institutional Development Plans (IDPs) of these institutions. In light of the numerous existing rankings, their use is evident in the strategic planning process of most Catholic universities, through their respective performances in establishing goals and objectives.