Track 3: Governance and Management

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Location: Track 3A + 3B: Nador 15, 103 and 106 - see floor map

Track Chairs:
Gergely Kováts • Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary and Rosalind Pritchard • University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

In the age of increased competition, permanent reforms and continuous funding pressures, higher education institutions need to be innovative so that they can quickly adapt to new challenges and opportunities. They need a culture which fosters creativity, experimentation and an entrepreneurial spirit; their governance structure has to support the changing needs of staff, students and clients.

However, institutions that are constantly redesigned, reengineered and “under construction” are hardly efficient. Although universities, as some of the oldest institutions in modern history, are experienced in mastering the ever present paradox of tradition and innovation, it remains a challenge to develop responsive organizations.

In this track, presenters are invited to discuss how the contradictory expectations of flexibility and stability are impacting on governance structures and leadership roles. We welcome papers addressing questions such as:

  • What are the major internal and external challenges that require the continuous transformation of higher education institutions?
  • To what extent are the established traditions and organizational practices blessings or curses?
  • What can we learn from the history of universities about resilience and change?
  • What new management approaches, governance solutions, and organizational innovations have emerged recently?
  • What kind of leadership roles are needed for agile institutions?
  • How do new governance and management solutions relate to the notions of academic community, freedom and autonomy?