Higher education institutions and, particularly, polytechnic institutes in Portugal are, generally speaking, recognised as key stakeholders in regional development.However, due to the economic recession of recent years and the consequent budget constraints, higher education institutions, now more than ever, need to demonstrate the social and cultural impact of their activities within their communities and, also, their contribution to its economic development. Thus, the aim of this paper is to estimate the economic impact of a group of polytechnic institutes located in regions with diverse socioeconomic realities, by using a common methodology. This common framework enables a comparative study and a better identification of the variables that differentiate the realities of the different regions, the respective polytechnics and their impacts.

A navegação consulta e descarregamento dos títulos inseridos nas Bibliotecas Digitais UC Digitalis, UC Pombalina e UC Impactum, pressupõem a aceitação plena e sem reservas dos Termos e Abstract:individuals have been founded on the creation, dissemination and use of can higher education contribute so that Portugal may face the challenges for the next decades? An usual conclusion is that gobal reordering is considered as a priority. The time signs point to an interplay of favourable conditions to this quality leap, namely a huge contextual change, an international opportunity and the insatisfaction among meaningful segments of society. The timely initiative of promoting a discussion about the condition of the Portuguese higher education remains a central issue in a debate that is still need to name the main proposals for the future of the Portuguese polytechnic higher education, on the path to its construction and in accordance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the evaluation and control processes in the governance systems of higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach This study compares the performance and control processes of strategic management in four HEIs in two European countries with binary systems – Portugal and The Netherlands. Using a case study approach, the authors find that HEIs with different missions and contexts have performance and control systems that are generally indistinguishable. Findings The controlling strategies in the public HEIs have taken on isomorphic characteristics based on processes that enhance competition, decentralize functions and solidify performance management. Originality/value In this paper, the authors “unpackage” strategic management to focus on the forms of control associated with performance evaluation. Performance evaluation is central to the management process and increasingly assuming an integral part of the institution’s identity and culture.

Apresenta-se um modelo de avaliação de desempenho da investigação aplicada nas instituições de ensino superior politécnico (IESP) em Portugal, centrado na construção de indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos, na missão destas instituições, bem como no impacto regional decorrente da sua ação. O modelo, apurado a partir de três estudos de caso, organiza-se em três dimensões: inputs, outputs e impactos da investigação aplicada. Inova por representar uma perspetiva holística da avaliação da produção académica, em particular das IESP. A inexistência de modelos de avaliação deste tipo no ensino superior português coloca, porém, desafios ao seu desenho, à recolha de informação e ao próprio modo de funcionamento das IESP (financiamento, organização, etc.).

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