The Use of Information in Performance Management : Experiences from Polish Universities

This paper seeks to extend the understating of how performance information (PI) is used in the university context and is intended to contribute to the current debate on the use of PI in the context of faculty performance management (PM). Empirical data was gathered through two in-depth case studies. This approach allows a multi-level analysis based on neo-institutional theory and legitimacy theories. The results of this study are also compared with the literature on PI use. PM practices at universities have become increasingly popular on an institutional, group, and individual basis. The results indicate that PI is used in universities; however, the extent and the scope of PI use by various actors can differ at various levels. How PI is used seems to be motivated by the influences coming to the national and international accrediting and rating agencies. In general, universities use PI to legitimize themselves externally as research-oriented institutions, and their practices are gradually becoming isomorphic. However, analysis at the internal level reveals different attitudes and approaches related to the use of PI. We found evidence of decoupling from the existing performance regulation in the case of more traditional university. In the case of more entrepreneurial universities, mimetic isomorphic practices are more evident. This paper focuses on two case studies, which are still undergoing change. Analysis could be reinforced by studying more cases, the use of different data collection methods, and cross-country and between-country comparative analysis. The use of PI is discussed in the specific context of the higher education system in Poland. Also, the cases of two business schools facilitate the analysis of the differences in how PI is used in the context of traditional and entrepreneurial universities