Jill Johnes

University of Huddersfield · Department of Strategy, Marketing and Economics

Business research has rarely explored service innovation for the traditionally conservative legal industry. Using a resource-based and practice-based view blend as its theoretical backbone we develop an understanding of the parameters underpinning law firm innovation as a facilitator of operations management enhancement and possible source of entre...

Current literature on higher education (HE) performance only considers the production of graduates and not graduate employment. The latter needs to be factored into the HE production model as it not only measures the true impact of HE institutions (HEIs), but also provides policy implications on how resources should be allocated. Furthermore, the c...

This paper tests whether competition and collaboration as well as a broad range of other factors lead to improved efficiency in the UK independent school sector. These schools have always operated in a competitive environment, but collaborative groupings are also observed. To answer our main aim, a robust conditional efficiency estimation is employ...

Remuneration for chief executives in UK higher education—known as Vice Chancellors (VCs)—has been on an upward trend in recent years, and VCs have received criticism that their performance does not warrant such reward. We investigate the relationship between VC pay and performance (rooted in principal agent theory), taking into account an array of...

While the evaluation of university efficiency has become commonplace in developed countries, exercises of this kind have rarely been conducted in the context of developing economies. We use frontier methods to analyse the determinants of costs in higher education institutions in India. Results obtained using the standard stochastic frontier model a...

The inquiry into whether foreign firms are more productive than local firms has been one of the key research questions among international business scholars. We extend this line of research by addressing the heterogeneity among different performance measures. In this study, we examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on four internal m...

Celem niniejszego rozdziału jest przede wszystkim identyfikacja i przedstawienie różnych metod pomiaru efektywności stosowanych w kontekście oceny funkcjonowania instytucji edukacyjnych w tym szkół wyższych. Ponadto dokonano przeglądu badań empirycznych wykorzystujących te metody na wszystkich poziomach edukacji.

This paper investigates inefficiency/merger dynamics in the English higher education sector from 1996–97 to 2008–9. Merging can lead to greater efficiency, and this is the motivation for encouraging merger in the English higher education sector in a period of austerity. But inefficiency can also contribute towards the decision to merge, meaning tha...

We assess the performance and productivity of Islamic and conventional banks using financial ratios, a two- and a four-component meta-frontier Malmquist productivity index (MPI). We focus on the relatively homogenous GCC region over the 2006–2012 period that covers the global financial crisis. We find that Islamic banks exhibit worse cost and profi...

This paper focuses on the effect of merger on university efficiency. In a first stage analysis, efficiency scores of English universities are derived for a 17-year period using the frontier estimation method data envelopment analysis. A second stage analysis explores the effect of merger and other factors on efficiency. We find that mean efficiency...

University rankings as developed by the media are used by many stakeholders in higher education: students looking for university places; academics looking for university jobs; university managers who need to maintain standing in the competitive arena of student recruitment; and governments who want to know that public funds spent on universities ar...

The inquiry whether foreign firms are more productive than local firms have been one of the key research questions among the international business scholars. We extend this line of research by addressing the heterogeneity among different performance measures. In this study, we examine the impact of FDI on three internal measures of efficiencies, i....

Education is important at national, local and individual levels. Its benefits accrue both to society and to individuals, and as such provision of education in many countries is paid for at least in part from the public purse. With competing demands for government funding, it is important for education to be provided as efficiently as possible. Effi...

An understanding of the production and cost technology of higher education institutions is of considerable policy interest as it motivates the structure of the sector—how large universities should be, and what mix of outputs they should produce. We review the literature and, using data for English institutions in 2013–14, apply appropriate frontier...

Non-parametric methods for efficiency evaluation were designed to analyse industries comprising multi-input multi-output producers and lacking data on market prices. Education is a typical example. In this chapter, we review applications of DEA in secondary and tertiary education, focusing on the opportunities that this offers for benchmarking at i...

Operational Research (OR) techniques have been applied, from the early stages of the discipline, to a wide variety of issues in education. At the government level, these include questions of what resources should be allocated to education as a whole and how these should be divided amongst the individual sectors of education and the institutions wit...

We examine efficiency in Islamic and conventional banking systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region (2004-2007) using financial ratio analysis (FRA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA). We find the two approaches are complementary in terms of the information they provide. From the FRA, the Islamic banking system is less cost efficient bu...

Profits can persist in the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm because of heterogeneity of inputs combined with resource immobility. The firm-efficiency interpretation of the RBV posits that heterogeneity in, for example, technology or know-how, leads to inter-firm efficiency differences which can persist because of imperfect imitability. Thus th...

This paper explores the issue of efficiency in English higher education using data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis to estimate an output distance function (which incorporates measures of both quantity and quality of teaching and research inputs and outputs) over a 13-year period. The study compares the efficiency estimates der...

This paper presents an exploratory study to assess the efficiency level of construction companies worldwide, exploring in particular the effect of location and activity in the efficiency levels. This paper also provides insights concerning the convergence in efficiency across regions. The companies are divided in three regions (Europe, Asia and Nor...

Further education in England is a diverse sector which typically provides education for the 16 -19 age group. This study investigates efficiency levels by subject of study within further education (FE) colleges. Mean overall technical efficiency is found to vary from 75% to 86% in the worst-and best-performing subject areas, respectively. Statistic...

We compare, using data envelopment analysis (DEA), the performance of Islamic and conventional banks prior to, during and immediately after the 2008 financial crisis (2004-2009). There is no significant difference in mean efficiency between conventional and Islamic banks when efficiency is measured relative to a common frontier. A meta-frontier ana...

This paper investigates the technical, and allocative efficiencies of public schools in Kuwait over four levels of schooling (kindergartens, primary, intermediate and secondary) and two periods (1999/2000 and 2004/2005) using data envelopment analysis. Mean pure technical efficiency varies between 0.695 and 0.852 across all levels of education; the...

HEIs will face tight fiscal constraints in the future. This paper uses random effects and stochastic frontier techniques to estimate an output distance function over the period 1997/97 to 2007/08 in order to investigate the efficiency of higher education institutions (HEIs) and to examine the opportunities for substitution between inputs. Mean effi...

This study uses data for nearly 200 further education providers in England to investigate the level of efficiency and change in productivity over the period 1999–2003. Using data envelopment analysis we find that the mean provider efficiency varies between 83 and 90 percent over the period. Productivity change over the period was around 12 percent,...

Recent work on business strategy considers the evaluation of company performance using frontier methods (Devinney et al., forthcoming). The present paper builds on that work to examine the extent to which company performance in one period impacts on business practices and hence performance in subsequent periods. We investigate this using a panel of...

A multiproduct cost function is estimated for English higher education institutions using a panel of data from recent years. The panel approach allows estimation by means of a random parameter stochastic frontier model which provides considerable new insights in that it allows the impact on costs of inter-institutional differences in the cost funct...

As student numbers in the UK's higher education sector have expanded substantially during the last 15 years, it has become increasingly important for government to understand the structure of costs in higher education, thus allowing it to evaluate the potential for expansion and associated cost implications. This study applies Data Envelopment Anal...

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis, using both financial ratio analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA), of a consistent sample of Islamic and conventional banks located in the GCC region over the period 2004 to 2007. Results from the financial ratio analysis indicate that Islamic banks are less cost efficient but more...

In this study we use a distance function approach to derive Malmquist productivity indexes for 112 English higher education institutions (HEIs) over the period 1996/97 to 2004/5. The analysis shows that HEIs have experienced an annual average increase in productivity of 1 per cent. Further investigation reveals that HEIs have enjoyed an ann...

In this report we present two studies: first a macroeconomic analysis and, secondly, a microecono- mic analysis of funding of higher education (HE) in England. The study focuses on England instead of covering all countries of the UK because the higher education system, and especially the fund- ing system, differs across countries of the UK; in part...

This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine the relative efficiency in the production of research of 109 Chinese regular universities in 2003 and 2004. Output variables measure the impact and productivity of research; input variables reflect staff, students, capital and resources. Mean efficiency is just over 90% when all input and o...

Against a background of rapidly increasing enrolment, both actual and planned, and the improbability of increasing resources, this paper explores the relationship between degree results and entry qualifications amongst students in all sectors of higher education.

An earlier study used data envelopment analysis (DEA) to establish that efficiency in further education (FE) colleges varies widely (Bradley, Johnes & Little 2006a). Further statistical analysis suggested that this is explained, to some extent, by student composition and factors relating to the area in which the college is located. This study build...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is applied to 2547 Economics graduates from UK Universities in 1993 in order to assess teaching efficiency. Following a methodology developed by [Education Economics 10(2) (2002) 183–207], each individual’s efficiency is decomposed into two components: one attributable to the university at which the student studied,...

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility of measuring efficiency in the context of higher education. The paper begins by exploring the advantages and drawbacks of the various methods for measuring efficiency in the higher education context. The ease with which data envelopment analysis (DEA) can handle multiple inputs and multiple ou...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and multilevel modelling (MLM) are applied to a data set of 54,564 graduates from UK universities in 1993 to assess whether the choice of technique affects the measurement of universities' performance. A methodology developed by Thanassoulis and Portela (2002; Education Economics, 10(2), pp. 183-207) allows each indi...

This study uses data for more than 500 Further Education providers in England to investigate the level of efficiency and change in productivity over the period 1999-2003. Using Data Envelopment Analysis we find that the mean provider efficiency varies between 82% and 86% over the period. Productivity change over the period was nearly 17%, and this...

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility of measuring efficiency in the context of higher education. The paper begins by exploring the advantages and drawbacks of the various methods for measuring efficiency in the higher education context. The ease with which data envelopment analysis (DEA) can handle multiple inputs and multiple ou...

The use of Internet tools in economic pedagogy is growing. This paper attempts to investigate the impact of Internet tools, as a supplement to traditional teaching methods, on teaching and learning and attempts to answer the question why there are gaps between potential and reality of using Internet tools in economics education, based on our experi...

Cost functions are estimated, using both random effects and stochastic frontier methods, for institutions of higher education in England. The paper advances on the existing literature by employing finer disaggregation by subject, institution type, and location, and by introducing consideration of quality effects. The findings are that, amongst unde...

A multiproduct cost function is estimated for English higher education institutions using a panel of data from recent years. The panel approach allows estimation by means of a random parameter stochastic frontier model which provides considerable new insights in that it allows the impact on costs of inter-institutional differences in the cost funct...

'... is a voluminous and timely collection of 18 essays that addresses a number of core issues on the economics of education... An exhaustive survey of the literature on the role of universities as multi-product firms at various levels and disciplines identifies the nature of the economies of scope and scale. This enriches the volume further.' - Ec...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is applied to 2568 graduates from UK universities in 1993 in order to assess teaching efficiency. Following a methodology developed by Thanassoulis & Portela (2002), each individual s efficiency is decomposed into two components: one attributable to the university at which the student studied, and the other attributa...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and multilevel modelling (MLM) are applied to a data set of 54578 graduates from UK universities in 1993 in order to assess the teaching performance of universities. A methodology developed by Thanassoulis & Portela (2002) allows each individual's DEA efficiency score to be decomposed into two components: one attribu...

Non-completion of higher education degree courses is a considerable problem, incurring costs on the taxpayer, higher education institutions and the students who fail to complete. Closer examination of the data reveals that non-completion rates in higher education vary substantially across institutions and by subject of degree. The purpose of this p...

All public sector organisations in the UK have witnessed changes in funding arrangements during the 1980s as part of the Government's drive to make them more accountable to the tax-payer. The development of performance indicators is seen as an essential step to ensure that such organisations provide value for money. This paper examines the possibil...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to investigate the technical efficiency of U.K. university departments of economics as producers of research. Particular attention is paid to the role of external funding of research as an input into the research process. The data set used is an extended version of the one which informed the 1989 Universities...

Discusses the current system of higher education funding in the UK, and proposals for its reform. Possible reforms include methods whereby the direct burden of paying for tuition is shifted from government and towards students, which raises the question of how much of the total burden should be shifted. To examine this issue, constructs a general e...

The Isle of Man experiences price levels which, for consumer convenience goods, are some 10% higher than those in nearby regions of the UK mainland. The observed price differentials indicate incomplete economic integration with the United Kingdom. This paper presents the results of two major research projects undertaken on behalf of the Isle of Man...

The research output of economics departments in U.K. universities is assessed using data envelopment analysis. Results are compared with those obtained in the recent Universities Funding Council exercise. The results obtained are sensitive to the inclusion or otherwise of external funding as an input into the research process. A new method for asse...

This paper undertakes a statistical analysis of the Universities Funding Council's 1989 research selectivity exercise, focusing on differences between universities in the research rating obtained by individual cost centres. The statistical analysis indicates that several variables are significantly related to interuniversity variations in research...

A major difficulty with bibliometric measures of departmental research contributions based upon publications counts has concerned the summing of publications of different types. An attempt is made in this paper to bypass this aggregation problem by appeal to the methods of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In this way we investigate the technical ef...

Taylor J. and Johnes J. (1992) The citation record of Rqional Studies and relatedjournals, 1980-89, R q. Studies 26, 93-97, This note compares the citation record of Regional Studies with that of other related academic journals in the field of urban and rcgional studies during 1980-89. Two variables are used to measure the citation record: First, t...

This paper reviews the outcomes of the 1988/9 UFC research selectivity exercise and uses these as a basis for recommendations to those undertaking the 1992/3 exercise. Attention is drawn to disparities between subjects which may result in inefficient allocations at institutional level. Of eight factors incorporated into a statistical model only siz...

The widespread expansion of the financial sector over the last few years has generated a considerable increase of interest in the various offshore economies around Europe. In many cases these small economies possess the advantages of tax haven status which, together with special trade arrangements with the European Community, render them particular...

This paper reports the findings of a pilot study of the post-university experiences of graduates and non-completers during the first few years after leaving university. The research is based upon a follow-up survey of a sample of graduates and non-completers who entered the University of Lancaster in 1979 and 1980. Information was obtained by posta...

McPherson and Paterson make five main criticisms of our paper. The first concerns our use of institutional level data. We fully accept their view that the results obtained from a single-level statistical model based on aggregated data are likely to be less useful and less informative than results obtained from a multilevel statistical model using h...

Considerable interest is currently being shown in the funding of university education. The UK university sector has suffered a series of major cuts in public funding since 1980, and these have been accompanied by demands for higher standards and increased efficiency. Policy statements issued during the present decade have frequently emphasized the...

This paper investigates the possibility of identifying potential non-graduates, using information obtained before entry to university. Statistical analysis of a sample of the 1979 entry cohort to Lancaster University indicates that the likelihood of non-completion is determined by various characteristics, the main ones being the student's academic...

Energy prices on the Isle of Man

Incl. bibl. p. 186-191

The non-completion rate of university students differs substantially between UK universities. This paper provides estimates of non-completion rates for the 1979 and 1980 entry cohorts into each university and suggests a number of reasons which may have contributed to these inter-university differences. Statistical analysis indicates that a large pr...

The questions which this paper seeks to answer are as follows. Do differences between universities in the success of graduates in obtaining a satisfactory first destination accurately reflect corresponding differences in their performance? Are universities, which have a high proportion of graduates proceeding to permanent employment, more efficient...

This paper evaluates various performance indicators based upon the First Destination Record. These indicators purport to measure the success or otherwise of graduates in different degree subjects in obtaining a satisfactory first destination after their graduation. It is important to evaluate these indicators of the graduate labour market since the...

Property prices and rents on the Isle of Man

Higher education competes for scarce resources with all other branches of the public sector and must therefore endeavour to use the resources which come under its control as efficiently and as effectively as possible. Measuring efficiency, however, is a notoriously difficult task in all organisations, even in those which are involved in producing g...