An alternative to the ACE model to determine Higher Education Institution’s economic impact : the case of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança

Abstract

This paper discusses Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs) impact on regional economy. The case study was built over a Portuguese Higher Education Institution - the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB). That study intended to estimate the total impact of IPB and the approach followed was initially based on the demand-side approach (Caffrey & Isaacs, 1971). However, during the study it was necessary to develop a simpler model to estimate the economic impact of HEIs. The simplified model aimed to be a more direct and easier alternative to estimate HEI’s impact, also allowing comparisons between different HEI’s results.