University performance before and during economic crises: an analysis of graduate characteristics

This book briefly analyzes the performance of selected Italian universities during a pre-crisis period and an economic crisis period, on the basis of graduate characteristics and graduate placement statistics. The Electre model is used to produce eighteen university rankings according to three different scenarios (Neutral, University, and Job), three different roles ascribed to the key criteria (overeducation and mismatching), and two years corresponding to two postgraduation placement sampling surveys carried out in a pre-crisis period (2006) and during a crisis period (2011). The eighteen rankings are based on Economics/Statistics and Political & Social Sciences graduates. The rankings vary according to both the scenarios considered and graduate characteristics. Some differences are noted between the two fields of study. The book will be of interest for statisticians interested in evaluation issues, policymakers concerned with university comparisons and rankings, and future students and graduates wishing to make the best choice when selecting their university course. In addition, the new methodology adopted will be relevant for scholars in Statistics and Engineering.