Efficiency and Input- and Output-Substitutability in English Higher Education 1996/97 to 2007/08: A Parametric Distance Function Approach

Abstract

HEIs are likely to face tight fiscal constraints in the future. This paper uses random effects and stochastic frontier techniques to estimate an output distance function over the period 1997/97 to 2007/08 in order to investigate the efficiency of higher education institutions (HEIs) and to examine the opportunities for substitution between inputs. Mean efficiency across the whole sector is estimated to be 70%, and further investigation reveals that the pattern of production in the typical institution in the highest efficiency quartile is closest to the pattern of production of the average pre-1992 university. The Morishima elasticities calculated from the parameter estimates suggest that the main possibilities for substitution are out of undergraduates into other inputs and from administration into other inputs (except academic services). Opportunities for substitution are generally much more limited from postgraduate inputs, staff and academic services. A simple examination of the effects of merger activity reveals that it takes place amongst institutions which are typically performing at the same level as non-merging HEIs, and that it has beneficial effects in terms of efficiency. JEL Classification:I23, C01, C33, D24

Applications of Production Economics in Education

“…Based on estimates of Allen and Morishima elasticities, substitution is difficult between academic and non-academic staff (a similar result to the schools context reported in section 2.5), and much easier between academic staff and capital inputs (Johnes 2014a).…”

Revenue efficiency in higher education institutions under imperfect competition

“…7. A similar finding, suggesting that universities may switch activity from postgraduate to undergraduate following the raising of the cap on HEU undergraduate tuition fees, is due to Johnes (2014).…”

Efficiency and Mergers in English Higher Education 1996/97 to 2008/9: Parametric and Non‐parametric Estimation of the Multi‐input Multi‐output Distance Function

“…The weighting of both undergraduate inputs and outputs using entry and exit qualifications presupposes that the steady increases in the entry and graduation grades of students over time represent real increases in quality rather than grade inflation. In order to assess the sensitivity of the results to quality weightings, the analysis has been performed without taking quality into account in either undergraduate teaching inputs or outputs and results are similar to those found here (Johnes, ).…”