Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities

Harry de Boer

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5

Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities

Harry de Boer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Over recent decades, ‘autonomy’ has become a buzz word in higher education reform and universities were thought to be empowered to determine their own destiny. This chapter examines the organisational autonomy of universities in Europe. The multidimensional analyses of autonomy show that universities in practice experience considerable decision-making space, which in many cases is even more than expected, given their formal, legal autonomy situation. At the same time, the autonomy of universities is strongly circumscribed by their lasting financial dependence on the public purse, by contractual performance agreements, multiple accountability requirements, and by working in the shadow of governmental rules and expectations. Granting universities more autonomy does not reflect a weakening influence of government but new ways of controlling and influencing organisational behaviour.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Managing Universities
Subtitle of host publication	Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective
Editors	Ivar Bleiklie, Jürgen Enders, Benedetto Lepori
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Pages	57-83
Number of pages	27
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-319-53865-5
ISBN (Print)	978-3-319-53864-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5
Publication status	Published - 2017

Publication series

Name	Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education
Publisher	Palgrave MacMillan

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5

Cite this

de Boer, H. (2017). Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities. In I. Bleiklie, J. Enders, & B. Lepori (Eds.), Managing Universities: Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective (pp. 57-83). (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5

de Boer, Harry. / Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy : Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities. Managing Universities: Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective. editor / Ivar Bleiklie ; Jürgen Enders ; Benedetto Lepori. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. pp. 57-83 (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

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de Boer, H 2017, Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities. in I Bleiklie, J Enders & B Lepori (eds), Managing Universities: Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective. Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 57-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5

Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities. / de Boer, Harry.
Managing Universities: Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective. ed. / Ivar Bleiklie; Jürgen Enders; Benedetto Lepori. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. p. 57-83 (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

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AB - Over recent decades, ‘autonomy’ has become a buzz word in higher education reform and universities were thought to be empowered to determine their own destiny. This chapter examines the organisational autonomy of universities in Europe. The multidimensional analyses of autonomy show that universities in practice experience considerable decision-making space, which in many cases is even more than expected, given their formal, legal autonomy situation. At the same time, the autonomy of universities is strongly circumscribed by their lasting financial dependence on the public purse, by contractual performance agreements, multiple accountability requirements, and by working in the shadow of governmental rules and expectations. Granting universities more autonomy does not reflect a weakening influence of government but new ways of controlling and influencing organisational behaviour.

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de Boer H. Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities. In Bleiklie I, Enders J, Lepori B, editors, Managing Universities: Policy and Organizational Change from a Western European Comparative Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan. 2017. p. 57-83. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education). doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-53865-5

Working in the Shadow of Hierarchy: Organisational Autonomy and Venues of External Influence in European Universities

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

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