THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF STRATEGIC FINANCE AND ACADEMIC PLANNING IN EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

The strategic alignment of finance and academic planning is fundamental to effective educational institutions but presents complex ethical dimensions requiring systematic synthesis. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, aimed to identify the ethical challenges related to this alignment and explore how ethical principles are integrated into its processes, as discussed in the existing literature on educational settings. A systematic search of relevant databases was performed, applying predefined eligibility criteria focused on the ethical intersection.  Data extraction and thematic synthesis were used to consolidate findings.  results indicate key ethical dimensions include ensuring equity in resource allocation, maintaining transparency and accountability, and balancing competing stakeholder values. Ethical integration involves promoting ethical leadership, utilizing formal guidelines, and engaging in stakeholder consultation. This blendproves the necessity of explicitly addressing ethical considerations in strategic finance and academic planning to foster responsible and values-driven educational management.