Sustainable knowledge flow and innovation in higher education: the implementation of change management in universities

Abstract

One of the most difficult tasks in higher educational institutions is to implement effective and constructive changes within already functioning system. Resistance and unwillingness of the institutional members are the main barriers for an institution to implement a required change. This paper intends to describe how to facilitate the flow of knowledge and adopt an innovation mindset in the context of higher education or higher learning institutions. In addition, this paper also discusses three domains of a comprehensive implementation or change management plan: structure, culture, and strategies. The change management plan presented in this paper demonstrates how a change initiative can be undertaken in a higher educational institution in the context of knowledge flow and adoption of the innovation mindset. The main outcome of the paper is that institutional mission, vision and priorities need to be clearly understood by every member of the staff in order to support and facilitate change and innovative thinking.