It is important for policymakers and managers of higher education institutions knowing how well their universities are operating. This article aimed to show that data envelopment analysis (DEA) can be an excellent benchmarking instrument in higher education. First, by using several inputs and outputs at the institutional level, DEA can identify…

The paper contributes to the growing and often controversial study of higher education productivity measurement. The paper clarifies core productivity ideas, and considers alternative models for productivity assessment. Results from these models are explored using data from Australian higher education. Findings reveal implications for the…

In the past decade, based on a change in paradigms in university policy, performance funding on a cantonal and central state level has been introduced in Switzerland: the universities have been granted higher autonomy, combined with global budgets and contract management by the responsible authorities (cantonal authorities). At the same time, the…