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Measuring Public Sector Efficiency: A Study of Economics Departments at Australian Universities

Author

Listed:
  • Gary Madden
  • Scott Savage
  • Steven Kemp

Abstract

The 1987 Green Paper on Australian higher education included a recommendation for the abandonment of the binary system. The Dawkins plan effectively transferred resources from established universities to the former colleges of advanced education. This study compares the initial and subsequent performance of economics departments. The analysis applies survey data to a non-parametric data envelopment analysis model. Model results suggest that while overall performance has improved substantially, further productivity improvements are required for new universities to achieve best practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary Madden & Scott Savage & Steven Kemp, 1997. "Measuring Public Sector Efficiency: A Study of Economics Departments at Australian Universities," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(2), pages 153-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:5:y:1997:i:2:p:153-168
    DOI: 10.1080/09645299700000013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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