PERFORMANCE INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AT THE ESTONIAN UNIVERSITIES

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the performance information disclosure, its objectives and used performance measures at Estonian public universities. The present study focuses, using the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle model on the linkages between disclosed performance information in various stages of performance management cycle. This study uses predominantly document analysis, describing and analysing the performance information in strategic plans, budget strategies and annual reports on a six public Estonian universities. Additionally, a number of interviews have been conducted to explore some qualitative aspects of performance measurement issues at Estonian universities. Paper also focuses on financial and non-financial indicators presenting performance of three main areas of university operations - teaching, research and service to the society activities. The findings reveal that the financial and non-financial performance indicators are weakly linked within the performance measurement of the main areas of university operations. Considering the influential factors affecting the improvements of performance measurement, legal regulatory requirements continue to have a substantial impact in Estonian universities.