Underpinning Excellence: Understanding the Way Things are Done.

Kok, Seng Kiat; McDonald, Claire

Abstract

Current changes and cuts in funding within the UK university sector have meant that institutions need to perform at their optimum amidst a time of austerity. This has meant that institutions need not only be efficient and effective in their daily activities, but ensure that adequate levels of quality and excellence remain while coping with an environment of diminishing funding alongside increased accountability to the public purse. This has put severe pressure on the sector as it tries to weather the effects of these changes while ensuring that high levels of teaching quality and academic research endeavour remain. This paper discusses some of the prevalent issues within the sector and highlights some of the key traits that exemplify excellence. Using data collected from Durham University and collaborative Universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Exeter and Leeds for the Underpinning Excellence in Higher Education Project, this paper will highlight some of the prevalent traits and cultures that allow these institutions to excel. It is hoped that this paper will provide valuable insight into the different methods, approaches and values that are utilised and exist within UK Universities.

Citation

Kok, S. K., & McDonald, C. (2012). Underpinning Excellence: Understanding the Way Things are Done. International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, 11(4), 119-132. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9524/cgp/v11i04/50157

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2012
• Deposit Date: Jul 17, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management
• Print ISSN: 1447-9524
• Electronic ISSN: 1447-9575
• Publisher: Common Ground Research Networks
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 119-132
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9524/cgp/v11i04/50157