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Efficiency and economies of scale and specialization in European universities: A directional distance approach

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  • Daraio, Cinzia
  • Bonaccorsi, Andrea
  • Simar, Léopold

Abstract

In this paper we investigate economies of scale and specialization of European universities. The proposed approach builds on the notion that university production is a multi-input multi-output process different than standard production activity. The analyses are based on an interesting database which integrates the main European universities data on inputs and outputs with bibliometric data on publications, impact and collaborations. We pursue a cross-country perspective; we include subject mix and introduce a robust modeling of production trade-offs. Finally we test the statistical significance of scale and specialization and find that they both have a significant impact on the efficiency of the Humboldt model. Nevertheless, confirming previous findings, specialization has not a significant impact on the efficiency of the research model.

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  • Daraio, Cinzia & Bonaccorsi, Andrea & Simar, Léopold, 2015. "Efficiency and economies of scale and specialization in European universities: A directional distance approach," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 9(3), pages 430-448.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:9:y:2015:i:3:p:430-448
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2015.03.002
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    4. Daraio, Cinzia & Bonaccorsi, Andrea & Simar, Léopold, 2015. "Rankings and university performance: A conditional multidimensional approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 244(3), pages 918-930.
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    6. Herberholz, Lars & Wigger, Berthold U., 2021. "Efficiency of European universities: A comparison of peers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
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    10. 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.
    11. Lars Herberholz & Berthold U. Wigger, 2020. "Efficiency of European Universities: A Comparison of Peers," CESifo Working Paper Series 8044, CESifo.
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    14. Rella, Angela & Rubino, Michele & Raimo, Nicola & Vitolla, Filippo, 2024. "Does the digitalization of municipalities affect the efficiency of universities? An Italian case study using DEA and Malmquist index approaches," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    15. Dag Fjeld Edvardsen & Finn R. Førsund & Sverre A. C. Kittelsen, 2017. "Productivity development of Norwegian institutions of higher education 2004–2013," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 68(4), pages 399-415, April.
    16. Ruoying Zhou & Ning Baines, 2024. "To what extent do universities’ formal and informal knowledge exchange activities interact: evidence from UK HE-BCI survey," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 1145-1175, August.
    17. 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.
    18. Andrea Bonaccorsi & Luca Secondi, 2017. "The determinants of research performance in European universities: a large scale multilevel analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(3), pages 1147-1178, September.
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    21. Shamohammadi, Mehdi & Oh, Dong-hyun, 2019. "Measuring the efficiency changes of private universities of Korea: A two-stage network data envelopment analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    22. Stergiou, Eirini & Kounetas, Konstantinos, 2022. "Heterogeneity, spillovers and eco-efficiency of European industries under different pollutants’ scenarios. Is there a definite direction?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

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