Research on the Allocation Efficiency of Higher Education Resources in Central China

高等教育资源配置效率是区域高等教育高质量发展的关键。本文运用2013~2023年中部六省的面板数据，运用DEA-BCC模型、Malmquist指数和Tobit模型，测度其资源配置效率及影响因素。研究发现：中部六省科研综合效率均值为0.794，纯技术效率是主要短板，省际分化显著；全要素生产率年均增长2.2%，技术进步指数均值为1.022，技术效率变化指数均值为1.000，长期停滞导致增长缺乏效率追赶支撑，年度波动剧烈；湖北规模收益不变，河南、湖南、江西、山西、安徽五省规模收益递增；经济发展水平对效率具有边缘显著的正向影响，产业结构、对外开放程度对效率产生显著负向影响，据此提出技术与管理双轮驱动、开放模式转型与产业升级、分类施策与区域协同创新等优化路径。The allocation efficiency of higher education resources is key to high-quality regional higher education development. This paper uses panel data of six provinces in central China from 2013 to 2023, and applies the DEA-BCC model, Malmquist index, and Tobit model to measure their resource allocation efficiency and influencing factors. The findings reveal that: the average comprehensive efficiency of scientific research in the six central provinces is 0.794, with pure technical efficiency being the main shortfall and significant inter-provincial differentiation; total factor productivity grows at an average annual rate of 2.2%, with a mean technological progress index of 1.022 and a mean technical efficiency change index of 1.000, indicating long-term stagnation resulting in a lack of efficiency-catch-up support for growth, accompanied by sharp annual fluctuations; Hubei exhibits constant returns to scale, while Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shanxi, and Anhui exhibit increasing returns to scale; economic development level has a marginally significant positive impact on efficiency, whereas industrial structure and openness to foreign trade have significant negative impacts. Accordingly, optimization pathways are proposed, including technology-management dual-driven transformation, open-model transition and industrial upgrading, and regionally differentiated policies with collaborative innovation.