Universities that pay their vice-chancellors higher salaries tend to be more focused on achieving short-term performance goals, according to a study.
An analysis of UK-based higher education institutions over a six-year period found senior leaders who earned the most were, on the whole, more motivated to target improvements in areas such as finances and rankings, where evidence can be quickly gathered to justify their wages.
At the same time, pursuing longer-term goals, such as widening access, addressing gender pay gaps and improving contributions to society, was more closely associated with leaders at the lower end of the pay spectrum.
