Understanding College and University Organization: Theories for Effective Policy and Practice. Volume 1: the State of the System

Name: Understanding College and University Organization: Theories for Effective Policy and Practice. Volume 1: the State of the System
Price: 28.41 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781579227685

ISBN-10: 1579227686

ISBN-13: 9781579227685

Edition: 2012

Authors: James L. Bess, Jay R. Dee, D. Bruce Johnstone

List price: $48.95

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Description:

Now available in paperback, this two-volume work is intended to help readers develop powerful new ways of thinking about organizational principles, and apply them to policy-making and management in colleges and universities.The book is written with two audiences in mind: administrative and faculty leaders in institutions of higher learning, and students (both doctoral and Master's degree) studying to become upper-level administrators, leaders, and policy makers in higher education.It systematically presents a range of theories that can be applied to many of the difficult management situations that college and university leaders encounter. It provides them with the theoretical background to… knowledgeably evaluate the many new ideas that emerge in the current literature, and in workshops and conferences. The purpose is to help leaders develop their own effective management style and approaches, and feel confident that their actions are informed by appropriate theory and knowledge of the latest research in the field.Without theory, organizational leaders are forced to treat each problem that they encounter as unique–as if it were a first-time occurrence. While leaders may have some experience with a particular issue, their solutions are usually not informed by the accumulated wisdom of others who have already encountered and resolved similar situations.The authors approach the theory of the organization and administration of colleges and universities from three quite different perspectives, or paradigms, each relying on different assumptions about the reality of organizational life in colleges and universities.The positivist paradigm–primarily an omnibus systems theory–integrates the chapters into a comprehensive, yet easily accessible whole. Social constructionism, the second paradigm, is introduced in each chapter to illuminate the difficulty of seeking and finding meaningful consensus on problems and policies, while also addressing important ethical issues that tend to be overlooked in leadership thought and action. The third paradigm, postmodernism, draws attention to difficulties of logic and communication under the constraints of strictly linear thinking that authorities at all levels attempt to impose on organizations.This multiple paradigm approach enables readers to become more cognizant of their own assumptions, how they may differ from those of others in their organization, and how those differences may both create difficulties in resolving problems and expand the range of alternatives considered in organizational decision making.The book offers readers the tools to balance the real-world needs to succeed in today’s challenging and competitive environment with the social and ethical aspirations of all its stakeholders and society at large. The authors’ aim is to elucidate how administration can be made more efficient and effective through rational decision-making while also respecting humanistic values. This approach highlights a range of phenomena that require attention if the institution is ultimately to be considered successful.

Book details

List price: $48.95
Copyright year: 2012
Publisher: Stylus Publishing, LLC
Publication date: 2/28/2012
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 506
Size: 6.00" wide x 9.00" long x 1.00" tall
Weight: 1.782
Language: English

James L. Bess is President of James L. Bess & Associates and Professor Emeritus at New York University, where he taught from 1980-2000. He is the author or editor of eight books and over fifty articles and book chapters.




The State of the System


Volume I provides alternative ways of theoretically conceiving of the more stable and persisting conditions that exist at virtually all higher education institutions -- including organizational and departmental design, structure and roles, the institutionï¿½ï¿½ï¿½s external environment, its culture, and the influence of individual motivation, group dynamics and interpersonal relations. From the theories presented in this volume, administrators will be able to recognize the elements in their institutional dilemmas that have been found commonly to recur across many institutions; understand the conditions that may have caused the problem to arise; and, by utilizing the theories presented, identify successful remedies that have been employed to address them