@techreport{e3824f7b67704fff97fa049b8d048eb4,
title = "Accounting for needs? Formula funding in the UK school sector",
abstract = "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the development of a needs-based funding formula for resource allocation incorporates the needs of funders or the needs of the service providers. Methodology: The paper analyses interview data and documentary evidence gathered from a UK Local Education Authority about the creation of a “needs-based” formula for sharing resources to schools. It employs and extends a framework developed by Leva{\v c}i{\'c} and Ross (1999) to evaluate needs-based formula funding. Findings: Although formula funding is purported to be a more objective method of resource allocation, the paper finds that as with other resource allocation methods the power relations between the users and the providers of funds impact on the extent to which service provider needs are incorporated into the funding formula. The main benefit of a funding formula lies in the debates that surround its creation. This allows the formula to be accepted though it may not necessarily fund service provider needs. Research limitations: This work considered only the funding of schools. Further work is needed to investigate formula funding for other public services. Research type: Case study Practical Implications: Debates between funders and service providers should be encouraged by policy makers to ensure that outcomes of resource allocation are acceptable to users.",
keywords = "Needs based, formula funding, public sector, resource allocation, service provider needs, service provider wants, education funding",
author = "Gloria Agyemang",
note = "The School of Management Working Paper Series is published to circulate the results of on-going research to a wider audience and to facilitate intellectual exchange and debate. The papers have been through a refereeing process and will subsequently be published in a revised form. Requests for permission to reproduce any article or part of the Working Paper should be sent to the publisher of this series.<br /> The School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London has over 65 academic staff who are organised into different research groups. Currently research groups include:<br /> Accounting, Finance and Economics<br /> Strategy and International Business<br /> Marketing<br /> Technology and Information Management<br /> Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management<br /> Public Services Management<br /> The School of Management Working Paper Series is published to circulate the results of on-going research to a wider audience and to facilitate intellectual exchange and debate. The papers have been through a refereeing process and will subsequently be published in a revised form. Requests for permission to reproduce any article or part of the Working Paper should be sent to the publisher of this series.<br /> The School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London has over 65 academic staff who are organised into different research groups. Currently research groups include:<br /> Accounting, Finance and Economics<br /> Strategy and International Business<br /> Marketing<br /> Technology and Information Management<br /> Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management<br /> Public Services Management<br /> The School also has about 60 research students attached to the various research groups. A strong theme of research in the School is its international and comparative focus.",
year = "2008",
month = dec,
day = "15",
doi = "SoM0809",
language = "English",
series = "School of Management Working Papers",
publisher = "The School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London",
type = "WorkingPaper",
institution = "The School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London",
}