Campus as a Framework for a Networked University

Abstract

Electronics-based information networks have brought widespread transformations in the way information flows in university campuses, to such a degree that the expression “campus information system” is usually equivalent to “campus electronic networked information system.” Universities are highly decentralised organizations, so managing corporate electronic information resources poses challenges such as finding an optimal degree of standardisation or the global orientation of corporate information resources (Cornford, 2000). These challenges were less of a problem when using paper and in face-to-face campuses. Likewise, external pressures due to the rise of the network society pose questions about the role of universities. These questions affect the concept of information systems. Thus, it is time to review the conceptual framework for campus information systems, focusing on strategic information management of higher education institutions in networked environments. Characterisation is established and discussed, with special attention paid to students as the main users of campus information systems.