Evaluation and control process in higher education institutions: a comparative analysis
Quality Assurance in Education
ISSN: 0968-4883
Article publication date: 18 June 2019
Issue publication date: 11 July 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the evaluation and control processes in the governance systems of higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study compares the performance and control processes of strategic management in four HEIs in two European countries with binary systems – Portugal and The Netherlands. Using a case study approach, the authors find that HEIs with different missions and contexts have performance and control systems that are generally indistinguishable.
Findings
The controlling strategies in the public HEIs have taken on isomorphic characteristics based on processes that enhance competition, decentralize functions and solidify performance management.
Originality/value
In this paper, the authors “unpackage” strategic management to focus on the forms of control associated with performance evaluation. Performance evaluation is central to the management process and increasingly assuming an integral part of the institution’s identity and culture.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Ben Jongbloed, at CHEPS, UT, as well as the interviewees at the UT, Saxion UAS, ISCTE-IUL and the IPP.
Financial support was provided from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and supported by the European Social Fund (POCH).
Citation
Mourato, J. and Patrício, M.T. (2019), "Evaluation and control process in higher education institutions: a comparative analysis", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 269-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-02-2019-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited