Executive Pay in the Public Sector: The Case of CEOs in UK Universities

Abstract

We analyse top management public sector pay using a panel data of university Vice Chancellors (VC) in UK. We assess how institutional performance, hierarchical effects, and personal characteristics determine VC pay. VC personal data covers personal details, qualifications and career history, which let us distinguish between internal promotions and hires from outside academia. We use the results of three Research Assessment Exercises as academic performance indicators, and university financial positions as measures of sound executive management. We analysed the importance of university salary structure and how they affect VC pay. Fixed and random institutional effects are also identified and analysed.pay, public sector, CEO, universities