An Analysis of Research on The Efficiency of Higher Education in Türkiye - critical review and bibliographic-descriptive content analysis findings

Oct 15, 2026

The study analyzes research trends and methodological orientations regarding the efficiency of higher education in Türkiye, offering a critical perspective to inform future work. Bibliographic analysis and descriptive content analysis are used on data drawn from Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Google Scholar, Sobiad, the National Thesis Center, and TR Index databases, yielding 70 qualifying studies. Results indicate rising attention to efficiency, emphasis on universities, greater use of data envelopment analysis, limited variety of methods, and reliance on outputs such as students, research, projects, and publications, with an opportunity to broaden scope and update current data.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages37

Reading Time1 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Concept and types of efficiency (Farrell, 1957)

Rationale for efficiency measurement in higher education

Overview of prior efficiency studies

An Analysis of Research on The Efficiency of Higher Education in Türkiye* Münevver ÇETİN1 Marmara University Muammer MARAL2 Marmara University Abstract The aim of this study is to present the general trend and direction of the research, both in terms of content and methodology, from a critical point of view by examining the studies on the efficiency of higher education in Türkiye and thus, to shed light on new research to be done and to make suggestions to researchers. Bibliographic analysis and descriptive content analysis methods were chosen in the research. Data was obtained from Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Google Scholar, Sobiad, National Thesis Center of the Council of Higher Education, TR Index databases. 70 studies meeting the determined criteria are included in this study. As a result of the research, it has been concluded that there is an increase in the number of research on the efficiency of higher education institutions, and the research focused on universities, data envelopment analysis is used more as an analysis method, the number of methods used is low, the most output-oriented BCC model is preferred among the efficiency measurement models, current data are not used in research, the number of units examined is low, and state universities are examined more. In addition to that, it has been concluded that the number of personnel, financial inputs, number of students, physical resources, the unit numbers represent almost the entire input set, and the outputs used in research are basically represented by four different outputs, which are students, research, project and publication, financial variables, and academic success, and the purpose of this study is directed to different problems, but the scope of the research can be improved. Keywords: Education, Efficiency, Efficiency Analysis, Higher Education, Research DOI: 10.29329/epasr.2022.478.1 Submitted: 24 July 2022 Accepted: 28 October 2022 Published: 05 December 2022 *This research was produced from the doctoral thesis prepared by the second author under the supervision of the first author . 1Prof.Dr., Faculty of Education, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye, ORCID: 0000-0002-1203-9098, [Email: mcetin@marmara.edu.tr](Email: mcetin@marmara.edu.tr) 2 PhD Student, Faculty of Education, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye, ORCID: 0000-0002-2055-5711 [Correspondence](Correspondence: muammermaral@hotmail.com)[: muammermaral@hotmail.com](Correspondence: muammermaral@hotmail.com) Introduction The concept of efficiency has been one of the concepts that is frequently emphasized and examined in the literature. The basis of the concept of efficiency goes back to Farrell (1957), who introduced the concept of three types of efficiency. The first of these is called technical efficiency, the second allocative efficiency, and the third total economic efficiency. Technical efficiency refers to the minimum amount of input needed to produce the maximum output using a given set of inputs or to produce a certain output level. In other words, technical efficiency is defined as the capacity and willingness of a unit to produce the maximum output with a certain set of inputs and technology (Kalirajan & Shand, 1999) . Producing the maximum output using a certain set of inputs refers to the output-oriented technical efficiency. However, keeping production constant at a certain output level and reaching this production level with the least input is expressed as input-oriented technical efficiency. The second type of efficiency is allocative efficiency. Allocative efficiency refers to the choice between input combinations given their relative costs. In other words, it expresses whether the existing resources are met and whether the resources are used to produce the needed output. The third, total economic efficiency, or productive efficiency, is a type of efficiency that occurs when both technical and allocative eff

FAQs

What research approaches and data sources does the study use?

It applies bibliographic analysis and descriptive content analysis. Data are collected from databases including Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Google Scholar, Sobiad, the National Thesis Center, and TR Index.

How many studies meet the inclusion criteria?

The study includes 70 research studies that satisfy the determined criteria.

What main findings emerge about efficiency research in Türkiye’s higher education?

Research on efficiency is increasing, largely focused on universities. Data envelopment analysis is used more, method diversity is limited, the BCC model is commonly preferred, and research often emphasizes students, research, projects, and publications as key outputs.

Oct 15, 2026

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