Efficiency determinants for higher education institutions: an empirical study of Italian public universities

Purpose This study evaluates the efficiency of Italian public universities across three interdependent dimensions: research, collaboration and innovation. Despite their central role in knowledge production and socioeconomic development, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Southern Europe have been understudied in terms of multidimensional performance. This study addresses this gap by measuring institutional efficiency and analysing its determinants within the Italian public university system. Design/methodology/approach A two-stage methodological approach was employed. First, data envelopment analysis was applied to a sample of 62 Italian state universities. Inputs included current expenditures and intangible assets; outputs consisted of publications, citations, research collaborations and patents. Second, truncated regression was used to evaluate the influence of five key enablers: internationalisation, gender diversity in leadership, organisational complexity, institutional age and geographical location. Findings The results reveal an average efficiency score of 0.83, indicating not only good performance overall but also highlighting notable variability. Universities that are more internationalised, gender-diverse, structurally complex and located in Northern Italy exhibit significantly higher efficiency. Conversely, institutional age did not show a statistically significant effect. These findings confirm the importance of governance structures and regional resources in enhancing HEI efficiency. Originality/value This study contributes novel insights by combining a country-specific empirical application with a multi-theoretical framework grounded in production, human capital, agency, public choice and institutional theories. The results support policy reform and strategic leadership aimed at improving efficiency, innovation and collaboration in public higher education.