While there are many benefits to academic competition, there are also some downsides. For example, while the competition between schools is healthy and can lead to innovation, it can also push universities to emulate the facilities of their peer institutions, which can be counterproductive. This competition not only keeps institutions on their toes, but it also forces them to measure how they are doing and benchmark themselves against one another.
A recent study examined the relationship between accountability and institutional competition for educational resources. It found that the latter is related to the former, but there are no direct relationships between the two. In addition, performance funding does not seem to have a positive impact on the former. Furthermore, competition for educational resources among higher education institutions is likely to increase in the future, as higher education is increasingly essential for serving public purposes.
In the meantime, competing for funding and students, institutions often divert resources from teaching and research in favor of competing for prestige. As a result, these efforts can result in a reduction in attention paid to teaching. This is particularly evident among research-intensive institutions. However, there are a few exceptions to this trend.
The study also explores the interplay between educational institutions and their markets. Higher education institutions compete for students through marketing and promotion. The marketing service at higher education institutions oversees the process of planning and promotion of educational services, sets pricing parameters, and monitors behavior among entities in the educational market. It also hosts open days, in order to promote education among the population.
Institutional collaboration is another important driver for academic innovation. Collaboration has the potential to help institutions improve student learning and advance interdisciplinary. It can also foster regional initiatives among participating schools. If the resources and expertise are shared, the benefits of the program can be tremendous. These factors make institutional collaboration a more attractive option.
However, institutional competition can lead to a negative impact. Some argue that it creates a race to the bottom, reroutes wealth from workers to capitalists, and reduces democratic participation. But many essays note that competition has many positive effects, including enhancing information and learning and making institutions more efficient.
There is a global market for academic talent. Universities in receiving countries want to attract bright students from abroad. Likewise, universities abroad compete to attract talented professors. Increasing salaries, better working conditions, and the possibility of moving to a more prestigious university attract both the well-known and the less well-known.
The demographic decline in a region can affect enrollment and retention, which affect the institution’s financial stability. As a result, institutions need to assess their unique value proposition and competitive advantages. They must also consider the impact of regional demographic changes on their costs and revenue.
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