Www.che.de Better Universities through Higher Education Management? Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele Humboldt-Kolleg and IDC | Abuja, Nigeria

www.che.de

Better Universities through Higher Education Management?

Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele

Humboldt-Kolleg and IDC | Abuja, Nigeria

situation of universities

Better Universities through Higher Education Management? | Frank Ziegele | IDC Regional Workshop, Nov. 2009 2

……expec-tationsrise !

expec-tationsrise !

crucial role of HE for development of economies

contributions to society´s goals(equality, regionaldevelopment, gender, etc.)

student´s expectations(triggered by cost-sharing: rising tuition fees)

wideningparticipation



……pressures rise !pressures rise !

rankings worldwidecompetition

technological change,dynamic environments

political interests



……recourcesdecline !recourcesdecline !

cutbacks,state deficits

few sources fordiversification(+ economic crisis)

low salaries,unattractiveness ofuniversity jobs

need forcostly investments

a fatal situation?

5

risingexpectations

risingpressures

decliningresources

UNIVERSITY

it is a worldwide problem, but of course with cultural +

national differences

Better Universities through Higher Education Management? | Frank Ziegele | IDC Regional Workshop, Nov. 2009

regarding all that …

6

… what should universities/academics do?

„common enemy“ resignation optimization

Better Universities through Higher Education Management? | Frank Ziegele | IDC Regional Workshop, Nov. 2009

complain, protest, blame

the government

do the minimum, low

loyalty, moonlighting

make the best out of situation, incl. use tools of higher education

management

probably these will somehow remain…

…but move into this direction

What should we do?

7Better Universities through Higher Education Management? | Frank Ziegele | IDC Regional Workshop, Nov. 2009

care about management

identify potentials to

act

be prepared with modern management

tools

take responsibility

and act

arguing with governments about funding is more successful from a position of good performance and strong internal

management

What should we do?


care about management

identify potentials to

act

be prepared with modern management

toolstake

responsibility and act

examples from the European context

which management approaches inside university help to come to terms with the situation? How did European universities

solve certain problems through HE management?



• cutbacks: every department takes the same share• strong and weak performers get equally less• in the end all departments get into trouble

problem

str

ate

gic

ma

na

ge

me

nt

• strategic priorities (central funds neccessary)• strategic alliances, cooperation with partners• performance-oriented cutbacks

manage-ment

solutions

• strong areas strengthened• good working conditions can be sustained in some areas• strategic profile of university develops

benefits



• public budgets depend mainly on history, no chances for newcomers• public funding does not react on performance

problem

fin

an

cia

l ma

na

ge

me

nt

manage-ment

solutions

• formula funding: rewards for good performance• measure indicators, parts of the budget automatically distributed according to number of graduates, Ph.Ds., publications etc.

benefits • redistribution to high-performers• incentive effects



problem

fin

an

cia

l ma

na

ge

me

nt

• flexible budgets: use money where it is most urgently needed• allow building reserves

manage-ment

solutions

benefits

• line-item budgeting: purposes of expenditure exactly defined, no reserves from year to year• effects: „december fever“, no flexible financial shift if conditions change

• long-term financial planning possible• meet urgent financial needs• incentives to save money



problem

qu

alit

y m

an

ag

em

en

t

• systematic teaching evaluations• peer reviews• target agreements to enforce consequences

manage-ment

solutions

benefits

• low information on students needs + class performance of colleagues• no external views to assess status quo of quality• evaluations without consequences

• transparency of quality• actions to enhance quality, learning processes



problem

co

ntr

olli

ng

• data as basis for decisions• implement feedback loops• only collect data that is needed for decision making

manage-ment

solutions

benefits

• uninformed decisions• lack of feedback culture (look at results and specify consequences)• „data cemetaries“

• controlling culture• learning loops



• changes regarded as someone else´s interest• nobody cares about the „products“

problem

org

an

iza

tion

• matrix structures: responsibility fo staff devided from responsibility for products• decentral responsibilities for certain tasks

manage-ment

solutions

• university members feel loyalty + responsibility• ownership

benefits

What should we do?


but it shows:universities are able to help themselves

special examples, there might be many more some experiences might be transferable to non-European context, others not

of course it depends on people, but it also depends on professional knowledge about

management tools

the coming days


specify these general thoughts for your contexts

learning about good + bad practice

open exchange on „how can we help ourselves?“

broaden knowledge on managerial techniques for universities

take into account the issue of leadership

www.che.de

Better Universities through Higher Education Management?

Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele

Humboldt-Kolleg and IDC | Abuja, Nigeria

Documents

Www.che.de Better Universities through Higher Education Management? Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele Humboldt-Kolleg and IDC | Abuja, Nigeria