Constructing and Analyzing Policy Issues for Budgeting Staff Management at Taiwan’s National Universities and Colleges: Technical, Organizational, and Individual Perspectives

National universities in Taiwan employ staff within and outside quotas sanctioned by the Executive Yuan. While these universities can fill internal quota positions with contract-based staff financed through the Academic Fund, most universities request an increase in personnel quota (headcount) from the Ministry of Education (MOE). This common practice of leaving internal quota positions vacant defies the decline in birth rates and government downsizing policies. We aimed to explore and understand the challenges around budgeted staff management in Taiwan’s national educational institutions. The methodology encompassed a multi-faceted analysis, focusing on technical, organizational, and individual perspectives. This study offers a comprehensive view of the management of staff in Taiwan’s national educational institutions by using document and staff quota data reviews, and engaging with personnel heads from 30 national educational entities and relevant Executive Yuan and MOE units. Further depth was added through surveys of primary and secondary academic and administrative leaders nationwide. Three issues were identified in the current staff management mechanism: 1. Inefficiencies in staff quota redistribution by the MOE and academic institutions. 2. Ambiguities in responsibilities between the MOE and institutions regarding staff quota management. 3. Variability in staff quota prerequisites across institutions. Based on these findings, we suggest 1. Defining clear roles for the MOE and institutions with respect to staff quota management. 2. Aiding institutions to enhance their quota management and funding capabilities. 3. Developing strategies for optimized personnel allocation and the use of personnel within and between institutions. Suggestions drawn from this study aim to streamline the staff quota systems of national universities, aspiring to elevate the governance and output of higher education.