Benchmarking For Higher Education

"Benchmarking for Higher Education provides an holistic view of the application of benchmarking. It uses case studies and system-wide reviews to show how benchmarking is being used by universities and colleges, and by subject and functional communities, in the UK and in other higher education systems, to aid self-regulation and self-improvement. The book is an important resource for academic and non-academic managers in higher education."--Jacket

Reviews developments in the application of the concept of benchmarking within higher education, with particular reference to the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and North America.

The scope of contemporary higher education is wide, and concerns about the performance of higher education systems are widespread. The number of young people with a higher education qualification is expected to surpass 300 million in OECD and G20 countries by 2030. Higher education systems are faced with challenges that include expanding access, containing costs, and ensuring the quality and relevance of provision. The project on benchmarking higher education system performance provides a comprehensive and empirically rich review of the higher education landscape across OECD countries, taking stock of how well they are performing in meeting their education, research and engagement responsibilities.

The project on benchmarking higher education system performance provides a comprehensive and empirically rich review of the higher education landscape across OECD countries, taking stock of how well they are performing in meeting their education, research and engagement responsibilities.

The specification of standards in higher education has long been the subject of international debate. This text covers the rationales, operational issues and perspectives on benchmarking and standards from international viewpoints.

This report concerns the use of benchmarking as a strategy for assessing and improving efficiency and productivity of administrative processes and instructional models in colleges and universities. The introductory chapter addresses the need for new tools and strategies to meet the increased competition and the higher demand for accountability faced by institutions of higher education and the development of benchmarking by the Xerox Corporation in the 1980s. The second chapter presents various definitions of benchmarking, an ongoing, systematic process for measuring and comparing the work processes of different organizations by bringing an external focus to internal activities and functions. An overview of benchmarking identifies a four-step benchmarking process model that includes (1) planning the study, (2) conducting the research, (3) analyzing the data, and (4) adapting the findings to the home institution. Four kinds of benchmarking are identified and discussed: internal, competitive, functional/industry, and generic. The third chapter reviews the current uses of benchmarking in higher education, as undertaken by such organizations as the National Association of College and University Business Offices; the Association for Continuing Higher Education, the Graduate Management Admission Council/Educational Benchmarking, Inc., and independent institutions. The final chapter gives detailed recommendations and outlines a procedure for institutions interested in undertaking a benchmarking study. (Contains approximately 115 references.) (PRW).

The specification of standards in higher education has long been the subject of international debate. This text covers the rationales, operational issues and perspectives on benchmarking and standards from international viewpoints.

Benchmarking is a powerful tool for improvement. It is one of the fastest-growing techniques for quality and performance improvement and attracts massive attention. Now, more than ever, there is a clear need for straightforward guidelines to help companies make the most of benchmarking. This book addresses that need.