Comparing Academic and Non-Academic

Organizational Cultures

Sean M. Heuvel

EPPL 751

The College of William and Mary

Presentation Overview

Introduction/Core Concepts

Theoretical Orientation

Background on Topic

Case Study

Preliminary Research Design

Factors to Consider

Conclusion

Introduction/Core Concepts

In what ways does academic culture compare with non-academic culture?

What perceptions do non-traditional college presidents have of academic culture?

What strategies do non-traditional presidents use to adapt to academic culture?

Theoretical Orientation

Conflict Theory – “the glue of society is economic, political, cultural, and military power” (Sadovnik, 2011).

Bourdieu’s Forms of Capital – who possesses the most cultural capital, social capital, and/or symbolic capital?

Background (Academic Culture)

Characterized by a extreme structural differentiation (Lane, 1985).

University decision making is weak (i.e. organized anarchy) (Lane, 1985).

Dualism of controls (Birnbaum, 1988).

Opportunity for continual investment in oneself (Rosovsky, 1990).

Background (Non-Academic Culture)

Corporate culture – shared assumptions and values (Gordon, 1991).

Profit and growth of organization are key goals (Hofstede, 2002).

Possible presence of autocratic leadership and management styles (Rotemberg, 1993).

Case Study (Dwight D. Eisenhower at Columbia Univ.)

Served as president of Columbia University from 1948 to 1953.

His tenure was described as a poor fit for both him and the university.

Used to military culture, he could never adjust to academic life.

Factors to Consider

Instead of focusing on how the cultures are different, in what ways may they be similar?Instead of looking at the macro level, what differences may exist within academic culture as well as non-academic culture?What role does the individual play in how they perceive these cultures?

Preliminary Research DesignResearcher will interview five non-traditional college presidents.Interview protocol will consist of five questions and five follow-up questions.General and axial coding will be used to develop key themes and sub-themes.Sources for data triangulation: interviews, reflexive journaling, persistent observation, and researcher field notes.

Conclusion

Questions?

ReferencesBirnbaum, R. (1988). How College’s Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Gordon, G.G. (1991). Determinants of Organizational Culture. The Academy of Management Review, 16, 396-415.

Hofestede, G., Van Deusen, C.A., Mueller, C.B., & Charles, T.A. (2002). What Goals do Business Leaders Pursue? A Study in Fifteen Countries. Journal of International Business Studies, 33, 785-803.

Lane, J.E. (1985). Academic Profession in Academic Organization. Higher Education,

14, 241-268.

Rosovsky, H. (1990). The University: An Owner’s Manual. New York: Norton.

Rotemberg, J.J. & Saloner, G. (1993). Leadership Style and Incentives. Management Science, 39, 1299-1318.

Sadovnik, A.R. (2011). Sociology of Education: A Critical Reader, 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.