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Measuring the efficiency of teaching activities in Italian universities: An information theoretic approach

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  • Laureti, Tiziana
  • Secondi, Luca
  • Biggeri, Luigi

Abstract

The measurement of teaching efficiency of Italian universities has become a topic of much interest and debate in recent years. The aim of this study is to fully explore the potential of panel data in the analysis of teaching efficiency both by modelling human capital formation in the university as a series of sub-processes and by using various models to account for observed and unobserved factors which generate heterogeneity. The new approach for estimating a stochastic frontier model based on the Generalized Maximum Entropy method provides further insights into the measurement of university teaching performance. The evolution of efficiency throughout the entire study period was also analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Laureti, Tiziana & Secondi, Luca & Biggeri, Luigi, 2014. "Measuring the efficiency of teaching activities in Italian universities: An information theoretic approach," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 147-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:42:y:2014:i:c:p:147-164
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2014.07.001
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    Cited by:

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    3. Badunenko, Oleg & Myeki, Lindikaya W, 2023. "Multidimensional Analysis of Attainment of Higher Education Goals in South Africa’s Public Universities: Access, Quality, Diversity, Success and Efficiency," MPRA Paper 121565, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Gralka, Sabine, 2018. "Stochastic frontier analysis in higher education: A systematic review," CEPIE Working Papers 05/18, Technische Universität Dresden, Center of Public and International Economics (CEPIE).
    5. Biao Chen & Yan Chen & Xianghua Qu & Wanyu Huang & Panyu Wang, 2023. "Do Financial Investment, Disciplinary Differences, and Level of Development Impact on the Efficiency of Resource Allocation in Higher Education: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, April.
    6. Facundo Quiroga-Martínez & Esteban Fernández-Vázquez & Catalina Lucía Alberto, 2018. "Efficiency in public higher education on Argentina 2004–2013: institutional decisions and university-specific effects," Latin American Economic Review, Springer;Centro de Investigaciòn y Docencia Económica (CIDE), vol. 27(1), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Badunenko, Oleg & Myeki, Lindikaya W, 2023. "Multidimensional Analysis of Attainment of Higher Education Goals in South Africa’s Public Universities: Access, Quality, Diversity, Success and Efficiency," MPRA Paper 121570, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Guarini, Giulio & Laureti, Tiziana & Garofalo, Giuseppe, 2018. "Territorial and individual educational inequality: A Capability Approach analysis for Italy," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 247-262.
    9. Biao Chen & Yan Chen & Yajing Sun & Yu Tong & Ling Liu, 2024. "The measurement, level, and influence of resource allocation efficiency in universities: empirical evidence from 13 “double first class” universities in China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
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    12. A.P. Gorina, 2016. "Issues and Prospectives of the Educational Service Market Modernization," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3B), pages 227-238.
    13. Vanesa D’Elia & Gustavo Ferro, 2019. "Empirical Efficiency Measurement in Higher Education: An Overview," CEMA Working Papers: Serie Documentos de Trabajo. 708, Universidad del CEMA.
    14. M.G. Leontev & N.G. Bondarenko & T.A. Shebzuhova & S.S. Butko & L.I. Egorova, 2018. "Improving the Efficiency of University Management: Teacher’s Performance Monitoring as a Tool to Promote the Quality of Education," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 527-540.
    15. Pongchanun Luangpaiboon & Chiramet Phinkrathok & Walailak Atthirawong & Pasura Aungkulanon, 2024. "Driving Educational Excellence: A Data Envelopment Analysis Study for Decision-Making Enhancement," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University teaching efficiency; Heterogeneity; Stochastic frontier approach; Generalized Maximum Entropy method; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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