Assessing the Research Efficiency Level of Saudi Universities Using the Data Envelopment Analysis Method (DEA)

Summary:  View help for Summary The study aimed to determine the level of research efficiency of Saudi public universities based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) results. It included all 28 public universities in Saudi Arabia. The study found that the average research efficiency of Saudi universities in terms of input orientation (input minimization) is 0.607 under the Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) model and 0.874 under the Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) model. This indicates that approximately 40% of research inputs are unutilized in Saudi universities under constant returns to scale and around 13% under variable returns to scale. The efficiency index shows that eight universities achieved full efficiency in input orientation (input minimization) under both CRS and VRS models, with an efficiency score of 1.  Additionally, eleven universities were efficient under the VRS model but inefficient under CRS. Meanwhile, nine universities did not reach the required research efficiency level under either model.