Organizational Theory in Higher Education accessibly presents and discusses organizational theory in a way that facilitates both theory and practice within higher education settings and furthers an understanding of their management, culture, and ways of operating. Alternating theory and practice vividly illustrate the operations of higher education and its administration. Manning offers a fresh take on the models and lenses through which higher education can be viewed by presenting the full range of organizational theories, from traditional to current. Part of the Core Concepts in Higher Education Series, this textbook features: a unique presentation of each theoretical model that includes both a theory chapter for contextual background and a practice chapter to further clarify concepts consistent organizational elements across each theory discussed, including decision-making methods, leadership relationships, and communication modes, so that readers can better assess appropriate fit of theory to particular situations applications to practice that focus on the most pressing management issues within higher education illustrations, case studies, and specific examples throughout that clearly illustrate ways to apply theory to practice. This rich and interdisciplinary treatment enables higher education leaders to gain a full understanding of the perspectives that operate on a college campus and ways to adopt effective practice accordingly.

Author Biography

Kathleen Manning is Professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Program, Department of Leadership and Development Science, at the University of Vermont, USA.