Assessing the research performance in higher education with stochastic distance function approach

Abstract

This paper aims to estimate technical efficiencies of 123 HEIs in Turkey between 2009 and 2013 on the basis of their research outputs by employing a parametric estimation approach, which is Stochastic Output Distance Function. In doing so, overall research performances of HEIs are measured by the means of different estimation procedures on the basis of certain production models. The estimated values firstly suggest that overall efficiencies in the reliable models range from 32% to 82% as well as there are universities that experience 3% efficiency performance. Secondly, efficiency performances of universities differ from each other on the basis of their locations and ownership types. Thirdly, in the time-varying inefficiency model, mean efficiencies of the universities is 32%, which signifies a worrisome problem for the higher education in Turkey. Besides, non-improving nature of efficiency performances in research between 2010 and 2013, escalates the concerns in relation to the allocation of resources to the research activities.