The impact of institutional autonomy on higher education institutions in Europe

This paper aims to evaluate the effect of institutional autonomy on higher education institutions (HEIs). The research question is whether increasing institutional autonomy leads to HEIs fulfilling three major missions with greater success. This study utilizes multiple sets of regression models, including multilevel hierarchical models, combining data from four sources for European HEIs, which includes variables on a state and institutional level. The three sets of regression models each estimate the effect of HEIs’ autonomy on their success in one of their missions. Although results indicate a good model fit, the effects of increasing HEI autonomy on the mission objectives appear mostly minor and even, in some cases, negative and therefore contradictory to the autonomy literature. A possible theoretical explanation question whether recent developments actually create additional autonomy or only shift autonomy among HEI actors without quantitative impact. A methodological explanation aims to stimulate further improvements and standardization of measurements.