This study uses the concept of 'organisational power' -- control over the environments in which others interact -- to investigate the structures and lived experience of power among academic associate deans at public, research-intensive universities in the US. Previous research claims that the associate dean role lacks 'legitimate power.' Through…

The university academic manager (AM) or head of school/department is typically positioned in a hierarchical world: as a middle manager 'sandwiched' between senior management and subordinates. I propose a different framing: the AM cohabits two worlds, the worlds of hierarchy and collegiality respectively. Using an ideal type framework and data…

Previous research indicates that mid-level women administrators are under-valued as leaders and followers despite their capacity and influential connectivity up, down, and across the organizational chart. Few studies have provided insight into the leading and following experiences of mid-level women administrators in the community college. The…

This study explores how mid-level administrators working in international student service centers make meaning of their roles and perceive the support their institutions provide. Utilizing critical discourse analysis and the theoretical framework of empowerment, this study reveals the social problems, power struggles, and avenues mid-level…

This study adopts a structural perspective to explore micro-politics in senior management teams and identify the principals' inner circle. Based on data from an Israeli random sample of state primary teachers, profiles of trust in principal are identified and used to break down the subgroups of teachers serving in various roles in senior…

University middle leaders play a significant role in change management. While research examines the outcomes of change management, far less attention has been paid to how middle leaders develop agency and negotiate their identities in achieving these outcomes. This study presents the cases of two middle leaders in Shanghai enacting a curriculum…

All large high schools have teachers in middle tier roles who help run the school, and subject leaders (SLs) who engage in administrative and pedagogical practices to improve departmental achievements. By applying structuration theory (Giddens, 1984. "The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration." Berkeley, CA:…

This paper theorises the field of symbolic control and reflects on the critical literature of policy studies, exploring the possibilities that the former might offer to the analysis of global policy discourses and their up-take in specific national and local contexts. Starting from the rapidly expanding literature on the "globalising"…

The article discusses the role of middle managers in an independent school setting and their relation to school heads. It suggests 14 principles of operation to meet the needs of school middle managers and to help clarify the role of the educational middle manager. (SB)

Interviewed British higher education middle managers about their roles, specifically the extent to which collegiality was a significant factor in the university's internal decision making. Respondents noted difficulties with and imperfections in collegiality but considered it the most appropriate form of decision making because it was important to…

Examined are: (1) the causes of growth, elaboration, and differentiation in middle-level collegiate administration; (2) the roles and status of middle-level administrators; and (3) the functions of national occupational associations in the professional lives of these campus officials. Results are based on a literature review, survey questionnaire,…

The need for and importance of effective leadership in nursing education mandates that individual and institutional efforts be committed to reducing role ambiguity, conflict, and overload in the position of assistant dean, whose role is subject to multiple demands and involved with multiple administrative subsystems. (Author/MSE)

A national survey of 235 directors of programs offering Bachelors of Social Work found that sources of personal, structural, and institutional power were important predictors of power for middle managers in academic settings. Results also direct their programs and manage departmental resources. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the changing role and responsibilities of middle managers and department heads in large research libraries. Skills and abilities required for effective management and the need for continuing leadership training are outlined. (10 references) (EA)

Examines the extent to which community college midlevel managers use power and influence tactics. Results show tactics were not used uniformly and were mostly directed toward lateral levels. Community college administrators employed influence tactics more often than did corporate, with both ranking tactics in almost identical order of use. (19…