Efficiency in public higher education on Argentina 2004–2013: institutional decisions and university‑specifc effects

Abstract

This paper analyses the efciency of Argentinean public universities and its determinants over a 10-year period (2004–2013). We quantify the efect on the efciency scores of a set of institutional variables, i.e. policy decisions under the control of universities. Efciency scores are determined on a frst stage using nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis and then we conduct a second stage study through paramet‑ ric modelling. The results reveal the existence of a positive and signifcant efect on efciency levels of those variables related to high-ranked professors and full-time positions, while those variables associated with budget allocation do not signifcantly afect the efciency. Our empirical fndings help identifying the characteristics that explain diferences in the efciency of public universities, providing new elements in studying the higher education system in Argentina.