Back Issues 11-20

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Ing-wei Huang

Martin de Tours School of Management and Economics

Assumption University of Thailand

66(0)2723-2236

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Shih-tse Lo

Martin de Tours School of Management and Economics

Assumption University of Thailand

66(0)2723-2222 ext. 5134

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Chanikarn Tosompark

Martin de Tours School of Management and Economics

Assumption University of Thailand

66(0)2723-2236

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Piyanan Suwanmana

Martin de Tours School of Management and Economics

Assumption University of Thailand

66(0)2723-2236

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Kai-Ping Huang*

Department of Business Administration, MBA Program in International Management,

Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

*Corresponding Author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between research input and output in higher education institutions, and the impact of adopting a performance-based funding system on their research activities. Exploring research activities carried out by Australian universities from 1995 to 2010, we find that funding was a key factor in generating research output, particularly in the form of journal articles. Among various sources of research income, merit-based funding stimulated all kinds of publications. Nonetheless, research funds secured from private, industry sources thwarted research publications. These findings were more pronounced in well-established, elite universities than their less-esteemed counterparts. We also find that human resources exhibited positive effects on publications, especially for the small, regional universities. The analysis further reveals that academic staff played a role in journal article publications. Lastly, the adoption of a performance-based funding system appeared to boost research output and the effects were seemingly comparable across types of universities.

Keywords: research management, performance-based funding, quantitative research, accountability, public policy