To change or not to change? That is the question: exploratory study on the management of change strategies in higher education institutions

• Grant number: 07/04331-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: October 01, 2007
• End date: February 29, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Administration of Specific Sectors
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Fabio Mesquiati
• Grantee: Luiz Fabio Mesquiati
• Host Investigator: David Watson
• Host Institution: Unidade de Ensino de Americana. Centro Universitário Salesiano de São Paulo (UNISAL). Liceu Coração de Jesus. Americana , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of London, England

Abstract

Higher Education has faced very deep changes around the world. A new era has arisen from the social transformations which have affected this field, resulting quite different challenges from the past. The sector has been growing up hastily as never seen, making up a new competitive dynamic. In many countries, it has been a vigorous and unprecedented growth, but, unfortunately, not entirely virtuous (desirable). To professionally lead the higher education institutions towards excellence, changing them dynamically without failing in keeping their souls by preserving their values and a sense of mission, has been a key issue to build up more competitive organizations. The key competence has been that of learning and consolidating change which strengthens the institution to compete strategically in an unstable, dynamic and competitive world. The study of change strategies is the way to find out the organizational features for a sustainable and continuous developmental process. This is a study of change phenomena in higher education institutions in London, leading to a theoretical framework in this field. The kind of research which is envisaged is a qualitative study. It is an inductive and an exploratory study based on grounded theory. Its findings will give a better understanding about the change strategies and their features, to get systemic and systematic development for building a successful entrepreneurial organization. The results will hopefully add further knowledge to improve the institutional performance for researchers and leaders in those institutions. (AU)