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Performance-Based Funding in the Italian Higher Education: A Critical Analysis

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Digital Business Transformation

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation ((LNISO,volume 38))

Abstract

University performance is playing an increasingly important role in financing public institutions. This has resulted in higher competitiveness and stronger emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness and a propensity to hold universities directly accountable. However, assessment tools are not consistently able to measure the achievements of universities in a reliable way due to the lack of indicators that can assess performance objectively. Furthermore, the formulas that are frequently used to determine achievements are complex, and the raw data that feeds such formulas are not unfailingly reliable. The aim of this theoretical study is underlining the potential criticalities of the performance-based approach in the Italian higher education system by critically analysing three of the main mechanisms that are employed to determine resource allocation. The paper also highlights the derived effects that influence the strategic choices and consequent actions that are implemented by universities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Type B research fellow (from now RTD-B), as regulated by the L. 240/2010 is a three-year contract that can lead to a tenure-track to became associate professor for those who achieved the national qualification.

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Acknowledgements

This study contributes to the developmental project of the Department of Business and Economics of the University of Sassari (“Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018–2022”) financed by the Italian Minister of Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Business, University of Sassari (Italy), Via Muroni, 25, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Alberto Ezza, Nicoletta Fadda, Gianfranco Pischedda & Ludovico Marinò

Authors
  1. Alberto Ezza
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  2. Nicoletta Fadda
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  3. Gianfranco Pischedda
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  4. Ludovico Marinò
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alberto Ezza .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business and Economics, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Rocco Agrifoglio

  2. Department of Business and Economics, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Rita Lamboglia

  3. Faculty of Law, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy

    Daniela Mancini

  4. Department of Management, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Francesca Ricciardi

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Ezza, A., Fadda, N., Pischedda, G., Marinò, L. (2020). Performance-Based Funding in the Italian Higher Education: A Critical Analysis. In: Agrifoglio, R., Lamboglia, R., Mancini, D., Ricciardi, F. (eds) Digital Business Transformation. Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, vol 38. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47355-6_11

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