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Reducing product diversity in higher education

Author

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  • Stijn Kelchtermans
  • Frank Verboven

Abstract

Public systems of higher education have recently attempted to cut costs by providing financial incentives to institutions who reduce the diversity of their programs. We study the profit and welfare effects of reducing product diversity in higher education, against the background of a funding system reform in Flanders (Belgium). We find that dropping duplicated programs at individual institutions tends to be socially undesirable, due to the limited fixed cost and variable cost savings and the students’ low willingness to travel to other institutions. Furthermore, we find that the financial incentives offered to drop programs may be very ineffective, leading to both undesirable reform and undesirable status quo. These findings emphasize the complexities in regulating product diversity in higher education, and serve as a word of caution towards the various decentralized financial incentive schemes that have recently been introduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Stijn Kelchtermans & Frank Verboven, 2007. "Reducing product diversity in higher education," Working Papers of Department of Economics, Leuven ces0726, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Economics, Leuven.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:ceswps:ces0726
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    Cited by:

    1. Stijn Kelchtermans, 2008. "Regulation of Program Supply in Higher Education: Lessons from a Funding System Reform in Flanders," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(2), pages 204-228, June.
    2. Gabrielle Demange & Robert Fenge & Silke Uebelmesser, 2008. "The Provision of Higher Education in a Global World—Analysis and Policy Implications," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(2), pages 248-276.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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