Abstract
<jats:p>The theory of university development management is shaped through the integration of classical, socio-psychological, institutional, and contemporary digital approaches. Classical theories laid the conceptual foundations for the structural-functional and administrative organization of universities, while the human relations school emphasized motivational and behavioral factors, as well as collegial mechanisms of personnel management. Contemporary managerial concepts view the university as a complex and dynamically evolving social system whose effectiveness is determined by its capacity to adapt to changes in the external environment and maintain strategic sustainability. The advancement of digital technologies and artificial intelligence is driving the emergence of new management models based on data analysis, process automation, and enhanced managerial flexibility. Taken together, these factors underscore the need to develop a multi-level, integrative, and innovative system of university development management that synthesizes both traditional and modern theoretical-methodological foundations.</jats:p>