The Strategies of Australia’s Universities : Revise & Resubmit

Over the last few decades universities in Australia and overseas have been criticized for not meeting the needs and expectations of the societies in which they operate. At the heart of this problem is their strategy. This book reviews the organizational-level strategies of some of Australia’s prominent universities. It is based on their public documents that boldly report how they see their role in society and how they intend to navigate the future. These strategic statements are written to proclaim relevance, showcase achievements, attract students, and help to gain the support of the communities in which they operate. Using a strategy framework taught in their business schools, this book suggests that most such statements are deficient. Grand aspirations substitute for realistic operations and outcomes. The analysis also suggests that many of Australia’s universities are poorly governed and have become too complex and bureaucratic. A greater focus on their core responsibilities would help alleviate their current funding predicament. The Strategies of Australia’s Universities Preface Executive Summary Contents List of Figures 1: Australia’s Universities 1.1 The Grand Bargain 1.2 New Public Management 1.3 The Current Report Card 1.4 Are Australia’s Universities Top-Heavy? 1.5 Why This Book 1.6 The Roadmap Ahead 2: The University Strategy Narrative: Advertisement, Story or Blueprint? 2.1 Strategy as Advertisement, Story and Blueprint 3: University Governance: Weak at the Top 3.1 The Chancellor 3.2 The Role of the University Council 3.3 Council Members 3.4 The Challenges Faced by Corporate Boards and Councils 3.5 Developing Strategy 3.6 The Fish Thinks from the Head7 4: What Is Strategy? 4.1 Strategy Framework 4.2 The University and Its Faculties 4.3 The University and Its Functions 5: Strategic Frameworks 5.1 Business Models 5.2 Economies of Scale, Scope and Focus 5.3 Comparative and Competitive Advantage 5.4 Sustaining Versus Disruptive Innovation 5.5 Rankings: Managing to These Measures 5.6 Strategic Reputation Management 5.7 Taking Stock 6: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Environment, Competition, Resources and Capabilities 6.1 The Strategy Backstory 6.2 The University of the Future 6.3 Competition and Rivalry 6.4 The Internal Environment: Resources and Capabilities 6.5 Organisational Culture 6.6 Strategic Fit 7: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Mission, Vision and Values 7.1 The Theory of a University and Its Telos2 7.2 The Missions of Australia’s Universities 7.3 The Social Justice Mission 7.4 Multiple Missions 7.5 Combining Multiple Missions into a Single Strategy 7.6 The Value Chain of a University 7.7 The Big Strategic Choice 8: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Objectives 8.1 Local and More Operational Goals 8.2 Hoping for A While Rewarding B 8.3 A Challenge 9: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Arenas, Vehicles, Differentiators, Staging and Economic Logic 9.1 Arenas 9.2 Vehicles 9.3 Differentiators 9.4 Staging 9.5 The Economics of a University 9.6 The Funding Game: The Revenue Model 9.7 The Funding Game: The Cost Model 9.8 The Big Question 10: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Strategy 10.1 A Differentiation Strategy 10.2 Potential Points-of-Difference 10.3 Communicating Points-of-Difference 11: What Are the Strategies of Australia’s Universities? Organisational Structure 11.1 Strategy and Structure 11.2 The Managerial Bureaucracy 11.3 Postscript 12: A New University 12.1 The Australian Management University 12.2 Governance 12.3 Mission, Vision andValues 12.4 Objectives 12.5 Arenas, Vehicles, Differentiation andStaging 12.6 Strategy and the Business Model 12.7 Operational Structure 12.8 Is This New University Possible? 13: Final Thoughts Why We Wrote This Book Index