Perceptions of the Dilemma – Order versus Freedom at Managing Faculty: A Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to examine the perceptions of the middle management (deans and heads of departments) and academicians on the dilemma order versus freedom at faculty management. It discusses how this dilemma is seen at an operational level and how it can be managed at university where both parties -with a managerial role or not- are academicians/academics and have professional expertise. The literature on organizational dilemmas was analyzed to answer the questions “which side of the dilemma is seen dominantly in different organization types?”, “how does examining organizational structures from different perspectives help understand educational organizations?” and “in that way how can dilemmas be managed in educational contexts especially in the academic context?” The major findings include the tendency to one side of the dilemma in different perspectives to organizational structure creates problems in the organizational management. However, balancing the order or freedom dilemma at an operational level improves effectiveness. Balancing dilemmas at faculty management is specifically difficult due to differing perceptions of academicians and the management. It needs the effective usage of other instruments in organizational life. The dynamics of organizational structures and processes in Higher Education (HE) institutions are growing attention due to the growing importance of HE institutions worldwide. Research on how effectively the operating core itself at HE institutions is managed is becoming more important in the field. This study explores the problems in the management of faculty at an operational level based on dilemmas between academicians and the middle management.

Keywords: Dilemmas, Faculty management, Middle management