Explores perspectives from which to examine government-university relations in different countries, and discusses examples in the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany. Trends in Eastern and Central Europe are also considered briefly. Issues of both administration and governance are included. (MSE)

Different models of academic governance and their implications for management and leadership are examined. It is argued that the United Kingdom's universities and polytechnics have relied on increased managerialism rather than the essentially collegial cybernetic model in recent years and may have sacrificed long-term goals for short-term success.…

The discussions and presentations in an international workshop on defining and implementing institutional mission are summarized. Focus was on the primary issues and the roles of leadership and government, using experiences of Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States as illustrations. (MSE)

This book aims to increase the level of interest and understanding of leadership within the academic context and to demonstrate the relevance of leadership for contemporary United Kingdom universities. The book considers the concept of leadership and its appropriateness and usefulness for nonprofit professional organizations such as universities,…

Change and continuity in university administration is discussed in the British university context. It is argued that while there is no ideal form of university management, change should be accompanied by a degree of continuity, particularly because the nature of university activity relies heavily on individuals of high academic quality functioning…

A survey investigated the feelings and beliefs of British university applicants at one point in the application process: after the application is acknowledged but before offers or examination results are available. Results suggest many see the process as straightforward, helpful, friendly, but a sizeable group consider it slow and complex. Many…

A discussion of the use of performance indicators for evaluation and funding of higher education institutions by governments offers 10 lessons for governments and funding agencies, drawn from a study of the role played by performance indicators in the systems of Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. (MSE)

The nature and organization of continuing education within the higher education systems of Canada, Finland, and the United Kingdom are examined and compared. Although there are considerable differences between the systems, there is also significant variation within them. Little stability is seen, and change is foreseen as pressures increase.…

Examines effects on higher education in the U.K. of recommendations in the Dearing Report (Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education) a year after publication, suggesting that while the report effectively analyzed higher education's financial needs, its recommendations have been only partially implemented. The Report's…

This paper examines methods that postsecondary institutions can use to cope with faculty and staff incapability, focusing on schools and practices in the United Kingdom. It first discusses the nature and scale of faculty/staff incapability in the United Kingdom, reviewing relevant court decisions. It then examines administration responses to…

New methods of financing higher education used in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom are summarized and compared. The paper concludes that while these approaches are designed to improve efficiency, realize specific outcomes, and leverage additional funds from other sources, they may have unanticipated, unintended, and, in some…

The evolution to date of the United Kingdom's Administrative Computing Initiative for universities, a program funding development of institutional management systems for both operations and planning, is described. The program divides universities into four families, each of which has adopted a different approach to systems development. (Author/MSE)

Discussion of fiscal management in the reformed higher education systems of Eastern/Central Europe begins with analysis of reform attempts in two British universities and relates them to Eastern and Central European issues. It is argued that institutions must adopt a holistic approach to managing change and for addressing various staff, structure,…

Research evidence concerning the introduction of performance appraisal in United Kingdom universities is presented. The notion of "procedural compliance" is introduced to draw attention to the largely externally imposed appraisal of universities and to the nature of institutional response. Findings of a study of appraisal in four…

The current state of student assessment in higher education in the United Kingdom is examined, particularly in light of the introduction of government-sponsored, standardized national vocational qualifications, marking a new stage of government intervention. A review of current practice finds confusion about what to assess, how to assess it, and…