Structural efficiency evaluation of humanities and social sciences research based on MEA model: a case of universities in Jiangsu, China

Understanding the research efficiency is crucial for optimizing the allocation of research resources among universities and different departments, improving the innovation capability of universities, and accomplishing high-quality development. This work applies the multi-directional efficiency analysis to the data between 2015 and 2020 from 46 universities in the Jiangsu Province of China. We evaluate the research efficiency of humanities and social sciences. We also compare the research efficiency differences between the capital and non-capital cities. Results show that the overall efficiency of humanities and social sciences research in universities in Jiangsu has declined over the years. The insufficient number of published monographs and papers in international journals is the main reason for the relatively low efficiency of universities. A clear gap in structural efficiency exists between the universities in the capital and non-capital cities. Therefore, we suggest the following methods for universities to improve their structural efficiency of the humanities and social sciences research: strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, increase the level of internationalization, optimize the research evaluation mechanism, develop incentives for research, boost the interdisciplinary cooperation, build the dynamic adjustment mechanism, and share resources and promote the partnerships among universities.