Top-down Management: An Effective Tool in Higher Education?

Beverton, S.L.; Tsai, Y.

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the strengths and weaknesses of top-down management in a university that has embraced globalisation with a strong market-led ethos and to suggest the ways in which adjustments might be made to top-down management processes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of top-down management by drawing upon relevant literature and further explores its related problems through a case study of a department in the universities of one country. Findings – Several studies have concluded that top-down management through its exercise of direct power is still a preferable means of reducing the chaos resulting from teachers caught up in de-stabilising and confusing change processes. In the current globalisation context, it is also concluded that the success of top-down management is predicated upon a willingness or readiness of the faculty to allow it to exist. Research limitations/implications – Although this paper explores the strengths and weaknesses simply through literature, it provides a case study to understand the problems with top-down management in higher education. The case study illustrates some of the issues that may or may not be proved by ensuing or larger-scale research to be generalisable, but for the specifics of this case the issues discussed would appear to be important. Originality/value – This paper recognizes the importance of top-down management to higher education in the global society and sheds light on how to make top-down management more efficient in higher education.

Citation

Beverton, S., & Tsai, Y. (2007). Top-down Management: An Effective Tool in Higher Education?. International Journal of Educational Management, 21(1), 6-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710716786

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2007
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2008
• Journal: International Journal of Educational Management
• Print ISSN: 0951-354X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 6-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710716786
• Keywords: Decentralized control, Managerialism.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1578293