Assessing efficiency of Portuguese universities through parametric and non-parametric methods

Abstract

In this paper we apply two methodologies to the measurement of efficiency in Portuguese Universities.These are a stochastic frontier parametric method and a non-parametric DEA method. We produce resultsfrom both methods in terms of efficiency estimates for each university over the period 2003 to 2005. Wealso produce, in both methods, unitary cost estimates of teaching students (undergraduates, master, anddoctoral students) and of producing research outputs. Results from both methods can be said to be coincidentto a certain extent, especially in what concerns the identification of worst performers. The productivitychange of Portuguese universities in the period 2003-2005 was also explored using Malmquist indices.