Work

Research and third mission efficiency in UK universities: assessing the role of European Framework Programmes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The assumption that universities only produce graduates is somewhat simplistic. Over the years, they have substantially enlarged their scope in covering the teaching, research and third mission dimensions. This work assesses the efficiency through which universities pursue objectives along the research and third mission directions. In detail, we assess the role of the European Framework Programmes (EU-FP) in influencing the input–output turning process in both research and third mission dimensions. The analysis is carried out for a sample of universities over the 2014–2021 period in United Kingdom (UK), whose higher educational system is well-known and highly-respected. Specifically, we adopt a robust nonparametric approach using a conditional efficiency measure, with the inclusion of partial frontiers. Also, we evaluate whether belonging to an elite-group of universities and the age of universities do matter for attaining efficiency. To do so, we revise the main policy reforms in UK, and we rely on the relevant literature on the efficiency of universities. Offering up-to-date evidence on the UK scenario, we suggest ways to strengthen and measure efficiency both in academic and practitioners’ spheres.

Source: Scientometrics

DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05469-x

Authors: Anna Rita Dipierro, Pierluigi Toma

Institutions: University of Calabria, University of Salento

Language: English

Topic: Efficiency Analysis Using DEA

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190