Regardless of the source of funding, university quality is based on knowledge, teaching, and research, and hence cannot be run like private enterprises as they are expert organisations that provide solely a public service. The purpose of this paper is to investigate, through the analysis of case studies, whether or not management theory, principles, and techniques are being implemented by Greek universities and consequently whether or not university management contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the university's operation. This study supports the view that if academic institutions are to work solely for the public interest, then university efficiency would be a necessary precondition for the attainment of its higher objectives. There are strong arguments that closer scrutiny given to university management and a revision of its implementation would result in sustained university progress.