Sarrico, Claudia S. (1998) Performance measurement in UK universities : bringing in the stakeholders' perspectives using data envelopment analysis. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is about performance measurement in higher education. It brings in
different stakeholders' perspectives on performance measurement, in UK universities
using data envelopment analysis. The introduction gives the background of the higher
education sector in the UK at present and its history. It introduces the drive for
performance measurement in higher education, and the motivation for the dissertation.
The method data envelopment analysis is then described.
The traditional use of performance indicators and peer assessment is reviewed and
the use of DEA, instead of parametric techniques, is justified. The opportunity to use
DEA in a somewhat different way than previously is identified.
The novel proposed framework integrates in the same analysis the perspectives of
three different levels of stakeholders. Firstly, the perspective of the applicant in the
process of choosing a university to apply to; secondly, the perspective of the State that
funds and evaluates university performance; and finally the institutional perspective. In
the applicant's perspective, the use of DEA in university selection is compared to
existing methods. The new approach devised recognises the different values of students
and is empirically tested in a case study at a comprehensive school. This chapter clearly
deals with a choice problem, and the link with MCDM is first approached. Finally, a
comprehensive decision support system that includes DEA for university selection is
arrived at.
Then the relationship between the State and higher education over time is described,
the current operational model explained and the future trends outlined. In order to
measure performance, according to the mission and objectives of the state/ funding
councils, a review of their three main remits is undertaken. The contribution of DEA to
inform the State/ funding councils in their remit is then discussed. The problem of
taking account of subject mix factor in the measurement of performance is dealt with,
by linking the input/ output divide by means of virtual weights restrictions.
It is shown how institutions can turn performance measurement to their own benefit,
by using it as a formative exercise to understand the different expectations of them, by
the two previous external evaluations. A methodology for institutional performance
management is proposed that takes into account the external/ internal interfaces: the
applicant/ institution, and state/ institution interfaces. The methodology is illustrated
with an application to the University of Warwick.
Virtual weights restrictions are widely used in this thesis, a reflection on its uses is
offered. The reasons for mainly using virtual weights restrictions instead of absolute
weights restrictions are explained. The use of proportional weights restrictions is
reviewed, and the reasons for using simple virtual weights and virtual assurance regions
in this thesis is ascertained. Alternatives to using virtual weights restrictions are
considered, namely using absolute weights restrictions with a virtual meaning. The
relationship between DEA and MCDM in this domain is elaborated upon.
Several conclusions are arrived at and novel contributions are made to the
knowledge of the subject treated: the importance of bringing in the perspectives of
different stakeholders in an integrated approach; the contribution of DEA in choice
problems; handling subject mix by means of virtual assurance regions; data availability
policy is found to be inadequate; a more appropriate way of comparing departments
within a university; and the superiority of virtual assurance regions to represent
preference structures and link the input-output divide.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HA Statistics L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Universities and colleges -- Great Britain -- Statistics, Data envelopment analysis
Official Date:	August 1998
Dates:	Date Event August 1998 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Dyson, Robert G. ; Athanassopoulos, Antreas D.
Sponsors:	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
Extent:	xiii, 221 leaves
Language:	eng

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