Ranking of European Universities by DEA-Based Sustainability Indicator

MATULOVÁ, Markéta. Ranking of European Universities by DEA-Based Sustainability Indicator. JOURNAL ON EFFICIENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION AND SCIENCE. 2023, vol. 16, No 4, p. 287-298. ISSN 2336-2375. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2023.160403.

Basic information

• Original name: Ranking of European Universities by DEA-Based Sustainability Indicator
• Authors: MATULOVÁ, Markéta.
• Edition: JOURNAL ON EFFICIENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION AND SCIENCE, 2023, 2336-2375.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 1.100 in 2022
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2023.160403
• Keywords in English: Composite Index, Data Envelopment Analysis, Sustainability Goals, University Ranking
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The paper introduces a novel approach to university rankings that considers a university's contribution to sustainable development. It addresses the usual controversies surrounding the construction of rankings using composite indicators. The conventional approach typically involves normalizing sub-indicators and applying subjective weights for aggregation, which raises concerns about the reliability of the rankings. In response to this issue, we propose an alternative method based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) that utilizes flexible weights. Our approach is applied to the data from the UI-GreenMetric World University Ranking. We initially employ a general Benefit of the Doubt DEA model and subsequently enhance its discrimination power by computing super-efficiency. In the third model, we impose weight restrictions on sub-indicators. The results of our analysis offer valuable insights for all stakeholders, as illustrated by the implications derived for Czech universities included in the sample. Furthermore, we compare the results of universities in various European countries, establishing a connection between rankings and the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) within individual countries. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between university performance, sustainability, and the associated implications for policy and benchmarking.