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Beyond frontiers: comparing the efficiency of higher education decision-making units across more than one country

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  • Tommaso Agasisti
  • Geraint Johnes

Abstract

We employ Data Envelopment Analysis to compute the technical efficiency of Italian and English higher education institutions. Our results show that, in relation to the country-specific frontier, institutions in both countries are typically very efficient. However, institutions in England are more efficient than those in Italy when we compare jointly their performances. We also look at the evolution of technical efficiency scores over a four-year period, and find that, in line with an error-correction hypothesis, Italian universities are improving their technical efficiency while English universities are obtaining stable scores. Policy implications are addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tommaso Agasisti & Geraint Johnes, 2009. "Beyond frontiers: comparing the efficiency of higher education decision-making units across more than one country," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 59-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:17:y:2009:i:1:p:59-79
    DOI: 10.1080/09645290701523291
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:lan:wpaper:1118 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:lan:wpaper:1041 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Dino Rizzi, 2001. "L'efficienza dei dipartimenti dell'Universit? Ca' Foscari di Venezia via DEA e DFA," ECONOMIA PUBBLICA, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2001(3).
    4. Bas Jacobs & Frederick van der Ploeg, 2006. "Guide to reform of higher education: a European perspective [‘The efficiency of Australian universities: a data envelopment analysis’]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 21(47), pages 536-592.
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