Analysing the Productivity of the Belarusian System of Higher Education

In this paper the authors explore the issue of measuring productivity in the context of the higher education system and suggest applying the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to estimate the productivity scores for universities in Belarus.

This assessment is helpful for discovering: (a) if it possible to construct an alternative tier-based rating system for higher education institutions using the super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and the peeling or layering procedure proposed by Bougnol and Dula; (b) discovering what determines the differences in productivity between public and private universities; and (c) deciding upon the policy decisions which should be undertaken in order to improve the productive performances of universities.

Finally, the authors propose the use of competitiveness indices on universities based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA) scores. Unlike methods based on weighted linear convolution, this approach also allows for the evaluation of how effectively educational institutions use their resources to achieve targets. The results of the paper can then be applied in helping to decide on education policy recommendations for government bodies.