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Reforming European Universities: Scope for an Evidence-Based Process

Author

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  • Reinhilde Veugelers
  • Frederick Van der Ploeg

Abstract

Universities are key players in the successful transition to a knowledge-based economy and society. However, this crucial sector of society needs restructuring if Europe is not to lose out in the global competition in education, research and innovation. To allow a more evidence based process of reforms of higher education, this contribution reviews the trends in performance, funding and governance of European universities. It also brings on board some evidence on support for the reform process. The analysis shows that, while EU universities have improved their quantitative performance on teaching and research, it needs to further improve especially on the quality dimension. The link between governance, funding and performance is not obvious and needs still further data and research. Nevertheless, the preliminary evidence so far seems to suggest that society supports a multitude of university structures, to respond to a heterogeneous set of preferences. This calls for granting universities the space and thrust to develop autonomously their own strategies and structures. Public and private stakeholders should provide the funds for universities to develop their agenda, while holding them accountability for delivering results. Establishing a large, integrated market for higher education and research in Europe, would provide an environment for European universities to develop their comparative advantages, making them stronger players on the world scene.

Suggested Citation

  • Reinhilde Veugelers & Frederick Van der Ploeg, 2008. "Reforming European Universities: Scope for an Evidence-Based Process," CESifo Working Paper Series 2298, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2298
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    File URL: https://www.cesifo.org/DocDL/cesifo1_wp2298.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Romina Boarini & Joaquim Oliveira Martins & Hubert Strauss & Christine de la Maisonneuve & Giuseppe Nicoletti, 2008. "Investment in Tertiary Education: Main Determinants and Implications for Policy," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(2), pages 277-312.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/7987 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. André Sapir & Philippe Aghion & Mathias Dewatripont & Caroline Hoxby & Andreu Mas-Colell, 2007. "Why reform Europe's universities," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/8100, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Romina Boarini, 2008. "Investment in Tertiary Education: Main Determinants and Implications for Policy," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(2), pages 277-312, June.
    5. Philippe Aghion, 2006. "A primer on innovation and growth," Bruegel Policy Brief 233, Bruegel.
    6. Frederick van der Ploeg, 2008. "Towards Evidence-based Reform of European Universities," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(2), pages 99-120, June.
    7. Stephan, Paula E., 2010. "The Economics of Science," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 217-273, Elsevier.
    8. Bas Jacobs & Frederick van der Ploeg, 2006. "Guide to reform of higher education: a European perspective [‘The efficiency of Australian universities: a data envelopment analysis’]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 21(47), pages 536-592.
    9. D. Johnson, F. Rahman, 2005. "The Role of Economic Factors, Including the Level of Tuition, in Individual University Participation Decisions in Canada," Working Papers eg0044, Wilfrid Laurier University, Department of Economics, revised 2005.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pedro Albarrán & Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2017. "Are Migrants More Productive Than Stayers? Some Evidence From A Set Of Highly Productive Academic Economists," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 55(3), pages 1308-1323, July.
    2. Micael Castanheira De Moura & Reinhilde Veugelers, 2009. "When and how does education lead to economic growth? A survey with policy suggestions," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/159857, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Lisa Grazzini & Annalisa Luporini & Alessandro Petretto, 2010. "Competition between State Universities," Working Papers - Economics wp2010_02.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    4. Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2019. "Spatial mobility in elite academic institutions in economics: the case of Spain," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 10(2), pages 141-172, June.
    5. Quentin David, 2010. "Comparaison Internationale des Modes d’Organisation et de Financement de l’Enseignement Supérieur," DEM Discussion Paper Series 10-24, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    6. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo & Francesco Rosati, 2014. "Career advancement and scientific performance in universities," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(2), pages 891-907, February.
    7. Valentina Mihaela Ghinea & Alina Mihaela Dima & Shahrazad Hadad, 2017. "Excellence Model for Sustainable Convergence in the EU Higher Education," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(S11), pages 1107-1107.
    8. Abramo, Giovanni & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Soldatenkova, Anastasiia, 2016. "The ratio of top scientists to the academic staff as an indicator of the competitive strength of universities," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 596-605.
    9. Quentin Max David, 2013. "Performances et (re-)financement de l'enseignement supérieur en Communauté Française : quelles perspectives ?," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/355386, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    10. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo & Flavia Di Costa, 2014. "Variability of research performance across disciplines within universities in non-competitive higher education systems," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(2), pages 777-795, February.
    11. Pedro Albarrán & Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2017. "Geographic mobility and research productivity in a selection of top world economics departments," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 241-265, April.
    12. repec:cte:werepe:26093 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    university reform; governance; autonomy; funding; competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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