Academic Governance Theories

Abstract

An important feature of research studies on academic governance is their multidimensionality. None of the traditional disciplines alone is capable of capturing the essence of processes taking place in complex social institutions such as universities. This means that research should be carried out using various interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives. The aim of this article is to present theories that can be used to explain academic governance processes. The research method used is a critical analysis of the literature. The most frequently quoted theories in the literature include agency theory, stewardship theory, stakeholder theory, resource-dependency theory, neo-institutional theory, and cultural theory. Many elements of these theories refer to statements formulated within corporate governance theories. At the same time, academic governance theories emphasise the key characteristics of the academic institutional environment. The typology presented in the article represents a positive approach, which focuses on understanding, explaining and anticipating complex processes taking place in the academic institutional environment. At the same time, the typology can be a starting point in attempts to determine the conditions that should be met by institutional structures responsible for managing and supervising universities.

Keywords

• university
• academic governance
• academic institutional environment