Changes in Higher Education: A Comparison of Key Factors Concerning Universities in Austria and Switzerland

Abstract

Society has changed sustainably and universities have thus faced new requirements. As a result of competition and globalization, education and knowledge management had to be adapted. Universities were forced to establish a modern management system primarily known from the private sector and governments had to reconsider their legal and economic relationship to universities. In recent years, many countries have implemented new rules for their universities. Two of these countries were Austria and Switzerland. But even when they pursued the same goals, they have chosen quite different approaches and as a matter of fact achieved very differing results. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, we analyzed the challenges and contradictions when implementing a modern university model. Secondly, we investigated specific characteristics of the university systems of Austria and Switzerland to identify factors that may have impacted the performance and success of the universities. Referring to our first objective, a literature review has revealed severe contradictions between modern university management and the traditional understanding of it. While the traditional scheme has focused mainly on research, teaching is becoming more relevant in the new demand orientated university. Also, the freedom of science and teaching is limited by the strong orientation on goals that have been agreed upon with the government. Further contradictions can be identified in autonomy, budgeting, leadership, hierarchy, and employee participation. To examine the second research aim, we reviewed national and international databases and reports. Our results emphasize the importance of monetary aspects, the student-teacher-ratio, autonomy, and the relevance of the universities' reputation and acceptance within society and politics. Our findings can help to understand the different approaches which have been chosen to cope with global changes in higher education. They might serve as basis for decision-making in higher education policy.

Universities in a contested space: The dominance of calculative accounting practices and the development of a research agenda

“…Given the emergence of the “modern university” in many countries in recent years, it is frequently claimed that traditional values and contributions to society have been detrimentally affected by the extensive embracing of neoliberal ideas that privilege markets and businesslike approaches, often introduced under the banner of New Public Management (NPM) (Connell, 2019; Enders et al., 2015; Hodgins & Mannix‐McNamara, 2021; Rybnicek et al., 2016; Troiani & Dutson, 2021). In this context, management practices have tended toward the extensive use of calculative approaches, which incline toward the strict measurement of key activities (including teaching and research) utilizing highly‐quantitative command and control practices to deliver organizational goals.…”

“…A traditional view of a university is a higher education organization where teaching and research are aligned and combined in the discovery and dissemination of truth. Here, and specifically relating to structure and governance processes within universities: Teaching and research are often viewed as activities where there is significant (if not total) intellectual freedom; noteworthy, amounts of autonomy are enjoyed by both the institution and its academic departments; and independent disciplines emerge and grow with their own distinctive standards and priorities (Anderson, 2010; Rybnicek et al., 2016). Particularly from a teaching perspective, the importance of encouraging the development of “Bildung” (a German word encapsulating the necessary combination of education and knowledge necessary to thrive in society, including the essential provision of moral and emotional maturity) in students is frequently emphasized (Connell, 2019).…”

Income fund Governance of Legal Entity State University

“…This professional management is contrary to the heavy democratic involvement of research staff at traditional universities. Rybnicek et al (2016) stated that in many areas intense participation from university members in the decisionmaking process is replaced by strong and powerful management and leadership responsibilities are transferred from the committee to the management board. This limited participation is seen as very critical by many university members.…”