Rewards to academia: the remuneration of vice chancellors and principals

Abstract

This paper models the financial remuneration to vice chancellors and principals at UK higher education institutions. After describing the alternative theoretical underpinnings for the determination of pay, an earnings function is estimated utilizing institutional and personal characteristics. The model suggests only a partial linkage of managerial and performance-related indicators to remuneration levels. This suggests substantial scope for reorientation of rewards towards such indicators rather than relying on an efficiency wage. This would appear particularly appropriate given the present and continued disclosure of this information, together with the increased focus on performance indicators relating to teaching and research within the UK higher education sector.