Methodological problems to measure university efficiency in relation withs its geographic localization

This paper examines data on Spanish Public Universities for 2002 to 2004 to determine the geographical location of the most efficient universities, that is, we aim to identify whether the universities located in the richest regions are more efficient than those in the poorest regions. We employ Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a robust nonparametric frontier technique, that enables us to benchmark and rank decision-making units. DEA applies multiple inputs and outputs to measure the efficiency of the universities. The results on whether there is a relation between university efficiency and the wealth of the region show that the richest regions have more higher education institutions, universities and that the universities located in rich regions are more efficient than those in poor regions.

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