Cost management in public higher education institutions in Malaysia: Challenges in financial sustainability

Siraj, Siti Alawiah and Nik Ahmad, Nik Nazli and Ismail, Suhaiza (2016) Cost management in public higher education institutions in Malaysia: Challenges in financial sustainability. In: 8th International Management and Accounting Conference (IMAC8), 28th-29th September 2016, Langkawi Island.

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The paper seeks to examine senior academic and administrative officers’ perceptions on important cost management practices which should be implemented in Malaysian public higher education institutions (Public universities) to help reduce the operating costs of public universities given the current environment of substantial cuts in budgetary allocations. A mail questionnaire survey was undertaken with the bursars, deans and directors of the twenty public universities in Malaysia to examine the respondents’ perceptions on various cost management practices that may be useful in reducing the operating costs of public universities and ensure longer-term financial sustainability of these institutions. The survey also examined respondents’ perceptions on long term strategies which should be implemented to close budget gaps and areas and activities which may have been affected by budgetary reductions. Findings of the survey suggest that respondents feel that a number of different cost management strategies may be effective in assisting public universities to achieve financial sustainability and reduce dependence on government funding. The findings of the survey have important practice and policy implications for the governance of public universities in an era of reduced budgetary allocations and increased scrutiny on the financial management of public sector organisations in general and Public universities in particular.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Invited Papers)
Additional Information:	3618/53384
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cost management, financial sustainability, higher education institutions, budget gap, public sector financial management
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HG Finance > HG4001 Financial management. Business finance. Corporation finance.
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Siti Alawiah Siraj
Date Deposited:	19 Dec 2016 11:03
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2016 11:03
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/53384

Actions (login required)

View Item