This paper provides an estimation of the specific cost structure of the Italian public universities, considering their complex function of producing teaching and research. The analysis employs a quadratic cost function and an innovative dataset for the year 2016. When modelling the cost structure, we explicitly take the potential inefficiency into account, using a Stochastic Frontier Analysis. Current levels of marginal and average costs suggest that economies of scale can be still exploited. Strong diseconomies of scope between teaching and research also exist. Policies dealing with mergers and specialization are justified from the cost-efficiency point of view.
Economies of scale and scope of universities - towards bigger size and specialization?
T. Agasisti;A. Bertoletti;G. Pignataro
2021-01-01
Abstract
This paper provides an estimation of the specific cost structure of the Italian public universities, considering their complex function of producing teaching and research. The analysis employs a quadratic cost function and an innovative dataset for the year 2016. When modelling the cost structure, we explicitly take the potential inefficiency into account, using a Stochastic Frontier Analysis. Current levels of marginal and average costs suggest that economies of scale can be still exploited. Strong diseconomies of scope between teaching and research also exist. Policies dealing with mergers and specialization are justified from the cost-efficiency point of view.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
