Management of Universities in a Period of Rapid Change: Comparative Case Studies.

Abstract

The orientation of this study is managerial. It focuses on the management of universities in a period of rapid change. The main thrust of this thesis is a comparison of universities in a developed and developing country, represented by Britain and Malta respectively. Through the examination of the challenges facing these universities in the two different environments and their responses to these challenges. The first part of the study places an emphasis on some of the theoretical concepts of management as they relate to higher education institutions. In particular, it looks at universities as organizations and examines their distinctive characteristics, which account for their limited manageability. In the second part of this study attention is given to the different developments of higher education in both countries. These developments are analysed with reference to the demands and pressures which were made on the universities since the late 70's. The effects of different environments and of policies for higher education together with different ways of financing and allocating resources have produced specific situations for higher education. The strategies adopted by five universities are examined in the final part. In a comparative review of these strategies an attempt is made to identify those characteristics or factors which seem to have led to the successful management of change in these universities. These include: increasing adoption of modern management practices and techniques; vigorous and dynamic leadership; flexible organization structures; more competition and collaboration; and greater awareness and response to environmental demands. Similar characteristics have been identified in a number of studies in Britain and America. The review of the study also indicates that in spite of different economic, cultural and political environments the challenges which are facing universities in the two countries are quite similar, and so to a certain extent are the institutional responses to these challenges.