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Balancing between accountability and autonomy: the impact and relevance of public steering mechanisms within higher education

Huusko Mira; Kivistö Jussi; Pyykkö Riitta; Kallio Kirsi-Mari; Kallio Tomi J.

Balancing between accountability and autonomy: the impact and relevance of public steering mechanisms within higher education

Huusko Mira
Kivistö Jussi
Pyykkö Riitta
Kallio Kirsi-Mari
Kallio Tomi J.
Katso/Avaa
Publisher's PDF (463.8Kb)
Lataukset: 

Emerald
doi:10.1108/JPBAFM-10-2020-0177
URI
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JPBAFM-10-2020-0177/full/html
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021093048169
Tiivistelmä

Purpose

This article studies the tensions between universities' accountability and autonomy in response to the demands of public steering mechanisms coordinating higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Demonstrating the tension between accountability and autonomy, the impact and relevance of public steering mechanisms coordinating higher education are studied via a survey with selected representative Finnish universities. The response rate was an exceptionally high 94%. In addition to the statistical analysis of the survey, open-ended questions were also analyzed to give a more in-depth understanding of the findings. The study uses paradox theory and institutional complexity as its theoretical lenses.

Findings

The empirical analysis of this study shows a considerable gap between the experienced impact and the experienced relevance of the steering mechanisms in higher education. The authors’ further analysis of the open-ended data shows that indicator-based funding allocation has undermined the perceived university autonomy. The authors highlight the paradoxical tensions of university autonomy and higher education institutions' steering mechanisms' requirement for accountability. Finding an acceptable balance between accountability and institutional autonomy plays an important role in designing higher education policies.

Originality/value

The authors found that even if a steering mechanism is experienced as impactful, it is not necessarily considered relevant. One of the key aspects in understanding the reasons behind this mismatch is related to university autonomy. Most impactful steering mechanisms become considered less relevant because they also endanger institutional autonomy. In this sense, it could be expected that steering mechanisms should better balance accountability and autonomy.

Details


Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, 

Type: Research Article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBAFM-10-2020-0177

ISSN: 1096-3367

Keywords

  • Higher education development

  • Steering mechanisms

  • Paradox theory

  • Institutional complexity

  • Public funding

Kokoelmat
  • Rinnakkaistallenteet [19207]

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