Academic Units in a Complex, Changing World

What is it about?

This book presents case studies of academic units from Australian public universities exploring the reasons why these units respond in different ways to similar external environmental pressures: globalisation, marketisation, declining public funding, increasing operating costs and developments in information communication technology, massification of student cohorts, and increased accountability to stakeholders. Why do some academic units successfully adapt to these challenges and opportunities? While others resist these challenges. Although the cases presented in this book are from Australian universities, the issues explored here are experienced by many public universities around the globe.

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Why is it important?

The book provides a new conceptual framework on organisational adaptation and resistance. It makes an important contribution to scholarship on leading and managing change in universities. This work was cited by Heinz Tüselmann, et al (2016) Revisiting the standing of International Business journals in the competitive landscape, Journal of World Business, Online first 12 February 2016, doi:10.1016/j.jwb.2016.01.006. Who should read this book? Researchers working in the disciplines of Higher Education and Public Policy, Leadership and Management, Business researchers in Organisational Behaviour, Leadership, Management and Managing Change, Entrepreneurialism and Innovation. Practitioners: The book provides practical advice and suggestions for Deans, Heads of School and Faculty Managers and university executives on how to successfully guide your unit through these complex challenges.