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Efficiency measurement of higher education units using multilevel frontier analysis

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  • Abolghasem Naderi

    (University of Tehran)

Abstract

This study aims at evaluating the crucial effects of incorporating heterogeneities and hierarchies in the efficiency evaluation of higher education units through conducting multilevel frontier analysis. Using two sets of data on academic departments nested within faculties, and faculties within colleges of a comprehensive university in Iran, we simultaneously evaluate efficiency scores of departments, faculties, colleges, and the university. It has been shown that: (1) there is a great degree of heterogeneities among departments, faculties, and colleges of the university; (2) incorporating the heterogeneities changes efficiency scores which accordingly questions the accuracy of standard DEA and SFA efficiency estimates; (3) multilevel modelling helps to uncover huge differences in behavior and performance through decomposing overall efficiency scores into multiple measures of efficiency; and (4) departments, in comparison with faculties and colleges, play a more significant role in the overall performance of the university. Resource allocation policy implications of the findings were also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Abolghasem Naderi, 2022. "Efficiency measurement of higher education units using multilevel frontier analysis," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 79-92, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jproda:v:57:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11123-021-00621-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11123-021-00621-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    C14; C67; I21; I23;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C67 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Input-Output Models
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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