Culture and culture change in a higher education context: what works and what doesn’t?

Abstract

PUBLISHED VERSION: Organisational culture and culture change are related concepts which have their origins in organisational studies, but also have relevance to higher education and the constitution of contemporary universities. This paper first explores definitions of and approaches to organisational culture and culture change. Two specific theories are then favoured as being particularly useful when planning and undertaking change initiatives in higher education environments – these being ‘multiple cultural configurations’ and the ‘meso’ theory. Based on a literature review of thirty six studies, arguments are put forward for their wider application in higher education change contexts. In addition, a critique of more popular technical rationalist approaches for the management of change is presented.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Please note: this is the PUBLISHED VERSION of this article.
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Departments:	Professional Services > Learning, Enhancement and Development > Learning at City Journal

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