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A Non-Parametric Efficiency Perspective on the Research-Active European Universities Performance

In: 12th LUMEN International Scientific Conference Rethinking Social Action. Core Values in Practice | RSACVP 2019 | 15-17 May 2019 | Iasi – Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Simona Gradinaru

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Economic Cybernetics and Statistics Doctoral School, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Anamaria Aldea

    (Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Levida BESIR

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Economic Cybernetics and StatisticsDoctoral School, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Alexandru Coser

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Economic Cybernetics and Statistics Doctoral School, Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions often struggle to optimally use their available resources in pursuance of both educational and research outputs, while competing for gathering funds. Furthermore, increasing teaching burden for academic workforce may shrink their time dedicated to research, which may also negatively impact the budget. The aim of this paper consists in examining the efficiency of two important dimensions of European universities (teaching and research), together with a possible ranking based on the models we employ for each of these two perspectives. Our target is to also explore any possible compromises between education and scientific research. We employ non-parametric efficiency analysis using FDH (Free Disposal Hull) and Hyperbolic efficiency estimators for a sample of 264 universities for the year 2014, from the RISIS-ETER facility, a database of European Higher Education Institutions and their indicators. Filters are applied to the initial heterogenous dataset in order to obtain adequate efficiency models that analyse universities performance from both research and teaching perspectives. Teaching efficiency is defined by how well the institutions manage to use their government allocation and academic staff in producing the maximum amount of undergraduate degrees, whereas the research efficiency is given by how well the universities perform in maximizing their research outputs considering only the personnel involved in research activities. The results illustrate that many institutions are focusing into a single direction and some efforts need to be undertaken in order to improve the academic balance between teaching and research. An analysis of each sample is provided and gives us an interesting insight into the European universities’ activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Gradinaru & Anamaria Aldea & Levida BESIR & Alexandru Coser, 2019. "A Non-Parametric Efficiency Perspective on the Research-Active European Universities Performance," Book chapters-LUMEN Proceedings, in: Camelia Ignatescu (ed.), 12th LUMEN International Scientific Conference Rethinking Social Action. Core Values in Practice | RSACVP 2019 | 15-17 May 2019 | Iasi – Romania, edition 1, volume 9, chapter 35, pages 371-385, Editura Lumen.
    • Handle: RePEc:lum:prchap:09-35
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.18662/lumproc.182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Curi & Cinzia Daraio & Patrick Llerena, 2012. "University technology transfer: how (in)efficient are French universities?," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 36(3), pages 629-654.
    2. Dominique Deprins & Léopold Simar & Henry Tulkens, 2006. "Measuring Labor-Efficiency in Post Offices," Springer Books, in: Parkash Chander & Jacques Drèze & C. Knox Lovell & Jack Mintz (ed.), Public goods, environmental externalities and fiscal competition, chapter 0, pages 285-309, Springer.
    3. Madalina STOICA & Anamaria ALDEA, 2016. "Efficiency Of Teaching And Research Activities In Romanian Universities: An Order – Alpha Partial Frontiers Approach," ECONOMIC COMPUTATION AND ECONOMIC CYBERNETICS STUDIES AND RESEARCH, Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics, vol. 50(4), pages 169-186.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-parametric efficiency estimators; Free Disposal Hull (FDH) Analysis; higher education; European universities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A3 - General Economics and Teaching - - Multisubject Collective Works
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • M0 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - General

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