The dynamics of university units as a multi‐level process. Credibility cycles and resource dependencies

Benedetto Lepori (), Michael Wise, Diana Ingenhoff and Alexander Buhmann
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Benedetto Lepori: Università della Svizzera Italiana
Michael Wise: Università della Svizzera Italiana
Diana Ingenhoff: University of Fribourg
Alexander Buhmann: BI Norwegian Business School

Scientometrics, 2016, vol. 109, issue 3, No 49, 2279-2301

Abstract: Abstract This paper presents an analysis of resource acquisition and profile development of institutional units within universities. We conceptualize resource acquisition as a two-level nested process, where units compete for external resources based on their credibility, but at the same time are granted faculty positions from the larger units (department) to which they belong. Our model implies that the growth of university units is constrained by the decisions of their parent department on the allocation of professorial positions, which represent the critical resource for most units’ activities. In our field of study this allocation is largely based on educational activities, and therefore, units with high scientific credibility are not necessarily able to grow, despite an increasing reliance on external funds. Our paper therefore sheds light on the implications that the dual funding system of European universities has for the development of units, while taking into account the interaction between institutional funding and third-party funding.

Keywords: Resource acquisition; Credibility cycles; University governance; Critical resources; Reputation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-016-2080-5

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