Measuring Productivity in Education and Not-for-Profits: With Tools and Examples in R

by Kenneth Moore

Overview

This book takes the reader through real-world examples for how to characterize and measure the productivity and performance of NFPs and education institutions—that is, organisations that produce value for society, which cannot be measured accurately in financial KPIs. It focuses on how best to frame non-profit performance and productivity, and provides a suite of tools for measurement and benchmarking. It further challenges the reader to consider alternative and appropriate uses of quantitative measures, which are fit-for-purpose in individual contexts.

It is true that the risk of misusing quantitative measures is ever-present. But does that risk outweigh the benefits of forming a more precise and shared understanding of what could generate better outcomes? There will always be concerns about policy and performance management. Goodheart’s Law states that once a measure becomes a target, it is no longer a good measure. This book helps to strike a meaningful balance between what can be measured, what cannot, and how best to use quantitative information in sectors that are often averse to being held up to the light and put on a scale by outsiders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030729677
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	07/06/2021
Series:	Management for Professionals
Edition description:	1st ed. 2021
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kenneth Moore is a consultant with the Nous Group. He is a data scientist and education expert. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne (Australia) and his Master of Education (EdM) in International Educational Development at Boston University (US). Moore is a Fulbright Scholar. His research interests include tackling global problems in education, performance measurement and systems dynamics.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Inputs and Outputs.- Chapter 3: The Productivity Ratio.- Chapter 4: Productivity Change.- Chapter 5: Productivity Change with Threshold Analysis.- Chapter 6: Frontier Analysis with DEA.- Chapter 7: Values Analysis with DEA.- Chapter 8: Threshold Analysis for Absolute Productivity.- Chapter 9: Hypothesis Testing.