Decreased Government Funding Research Articles

Sport management education in an era of global neoliberalism and corporate influence on higher education

Decreasing government funding and increased corporate influence have combined to create transformation in higher education. Considering the shifting nature of higher education funding and the pressures that have come with this change, the purpose of this paper is threefold: First, an overview of the paradigm of higher education is provided, including a brief examination of how higher education in the US has evolved from the mid-20th Century to its current form. The point of this is to provide an explanation of how the corporate/entrepreneurial university has emerged. Within this discussion, ethical consequences of corporate funding are presented. Second, some approaches for exploiting external partnerships are discussed. Finally, innovative strategies for maintaining academic and professional ethics are proposed.

Strategic Marketing Approaches for Improving Finance in Public Universities After Decreasing Government Funding in Tanzania

The article aims to investigate strategic marketing approaches in higher education institutions (HEIs) in a bid to support public universities to generate funds sustainably after the government decreased funding to public universities in Tanzania. To achieve this objective, the study was governed by the theory of responsive leadership model for attracting funding. The study was conducted in the United Republic of Tanzania (URT). A cross-sectional survey research design was used in this study. The study sampled twelve public universities in the country. Data were collected using interview guide and questionnaire and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods respectively. The findings show that apart from decreasing government funding, decreasing of students’ enrolment, failure to implement cost cutting strategies properly, the lack enough funded projects, dwindling research grants, and the lack of international collaborations contribute to poor financial position experienced by many public universities in the country. The study concludes that strategic marketing approaches in public universities can be used to support financial sustainability of the universities. Strategic marketing entails increased students enrolment, cost cutting approaches, increased funded projects, increased international collaboration, and increased development partners’ projects. The study recommends that universities management should adopt the right strategic marketing models for attracting funding so as to improve their cash flows sustainably.

The Paradox and the Price: A Case study of Female Academic Managers in an Australian Regional University

This case study presents empirical data regarding the experiences of female academic managers in anAustralian regional university. In Australia regional universities are situated in rural towns or cities outsidethe seven state capital cities and the national capital. This study is intended as a basis for further research inrelation to women working in universities and has informed the development of a survey of female middlemanagers in Australian universities, which will be reported in another paper. This case study focuses onfemale academics in front-line roles to more senior management roles in what still remains a maledominatedmanagement context. The study is also set within the context of a number of pressures onAustralian universities, including increased student numbers, decreased government funding, corporatisationand managerialism. The broader restructuring of tertiary education is often accompanied by organizationalrestructuring at institutional level and this is the case in this study. The management lives of a number ofwomen academics, who are front-line and more senior managers, are examined in the context of sectoraland organizational restructuring, the competitive expectations of managing in new times, and in the contextof working in a university in an Australian regional area. Discussion examines human resource developmentpractices and other experiences that have prepared the women for their current roles. Issues surroundingleadership and management styles, workplace culture, work/life balance, and work identity are examined.Conclusions are drawn about the organizational value attributed to the management activities undertaken bythese women, the paradoxes a number identify in their roles, and the price several believe they have paid inundertaking managerial leadership

Pro bono lawyering: personal motives and institutionalised practice

ABSTRACTThis article examines the personal values and private motivations of legal practitioners who engage in the provision of legal services pro bono publico. It analyses the results of a 2014 empirical study of lawyers in Queensland, Australia, who regularly undertake pro bono work. The findings suggest strong moral and professional motivations for engaging in pro bono legal practice, as well as a distinct ‘community of practice’ of large law firms in forming and sharing sophisticated structures and approaches to addressing social justice needs. However, the study also revealed a range of potential drawbacks arising from the dominance of the large law firm sector in this field. In addition, respondents from small firms and sole practitioners indicated the many ways in which they are excluded from the pro bono community. The article draws on US scholarship which urges us to think about the ‘content and impact’ of pro bono work to achieve real outcomes and to address the widening gap in provision of legal assistance created by decreasing government funding. We conclude that a particular sensitivity to the context of practice is needed in our conception of pro bono practice.

An investigation on allocative efficiency and implications of new funding plans for the Australian universities

In 2013 and 2014, the Australian Federal Government introduced the Gonski reforms and fee deregulation measures to reform the prevailing financing provisions for education sectors in Australia. The central proposition of the proposed new measures was to reduce the funding of public universities by the Federal Government. One likely consequence of the proposed measures was thus decreased government funding. In the given context, public universities were pressured into designing new strategies to cope with decreasing government funding. This paper examines the productive efficiency of public universities as a potential strategy. Using a concept of cost efficiency in production economics, cross-sectional data, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, this study explores the scope of allocative efficiency for public universities. Finally, this study recommends the intensive use of non-teaching staff in order to cope with any budgetary challenges.

Financial management of Canadian universities: adaptive strategies to fiscal constraints

Decreasing government funding and regulated tuition policies have created a financially constrained environment for Canada’s universities. The conventional response to such conditions is to cut programme offerings and services in an attempt to lower costs throughout the institution. However, we argue that three Canadian universities have reacted with a different response. Instead of cutting costs, the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and the University of Lethbridge have chosen to implement decentralized budgeting and management structures in an attempt to increase efficiency and seek out new revenues. Using interview data and document analysis, this paper discusses the responses of these institutions and what they tell us about the strategies universities employ to cope with financial challenges that are likely to persist.

Thai public universities: modernisation of accounting practices

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the transition of the accounting systems from cash based to accrual based, in Thai public universities. The focus is on the factors both influencing and affecting the accounting change.Design/methodology/approachThis study takes a quantitative approach with data collected through a mail survey to the Chief Financial Officer of each of the 78 Thai public universities. Statistical analysis included both descriptive analysis and ANOVA to analyse differences between universities.FindingsThe main catalysts for change have come from both external and internal sources. The Thai government requires public agencies to adapt their accounting practices in line with New Public Management (NPM) and university management need improved information for planning and control purposes. The most important change has been to the financial accounting system with the adoption of computerised accrual accounting practices. The major factor influencing the change process is low institutional capacity of some Thai universities which is evidenced by the lack of technological resources and staff with knowledge of private sector accounting practices. Universities that either have or intend to become autonomous have given more importance to accounting system changes; and universities that have achieved more success in the change process note the importance of external consultants, and staff having an understanding and knowledge of data requirements.Practical implicationsThis paper adds to the literature on accounting change in the public sector in less developed countries by highlighting factors influencing accounting change and factors that can be barriers to and facilitators of change. The findings provide further evidence of the issues confronted by public agencies in developing countries adopting new accounting practices and highlights the importance of training of local staff before the change process commences. Training is critical for knowledge transfer to enable staff to gain the knowledge and skills needed to assist in the change of accounting practices.Originality/valueThis paper presents a contribution to the government accounting change literature by highlighting public sector agencies in a developing country, Thailand. In both developed and developing countries, public universities are now operating in an environment of decreased government funding coupled with university management taking more responsibility for financial management. This study provides an insight into the changes taking place in Thai public universities in relation to the accounting system to support this new operating environment.

Editorial Volume 6 (1)

Editorial Volume 6 (1)

The Work Readiness of Master of Information Systems International Students at an Australian University: A Pilot Study

Introduction A review of the literature from government, industry, and academic sources identifies that the Australian and communication technology (ICT) industry suffers from spiralling low numbers of suitably skilled employees. Increasing ICT skills shortages in Australia has led to the immigration of overseas workers with the relevant skill sets to augment the supply. As well, the off-shoring and outsourcing of ICT work to other countries has exacerbated the problem for domestic students who perceive poor recruitment opportunities and ill-defined career paths, thus leading to a continuing decline of interest in IS education. To maintain enrolment levels in the wake of decreasing government funding, Australian universities are encouraging an increasing number of overseas students to enrol in postgraduate ICT programs such as the Masters of Information Systems (MIS). There is often confusion between the terms technology (IT) and systems (IS) both of which constitute ICT. According to Rose and Scheepers (2001, p.10), information technologies may be understood as a material resource that supports practice which in turn supports a wider set of social practices. Shanks, Hodgson and Darke (1996, p. 1) define IS as being concerned with the interaction between technology, individuals, and organisations ... research in systems has increasingly focussed on the social and organisational processes surrounding the introduction and use of technology. The IS fie ld is dynamic. Inevitably, changes in IS impact the education sector since graduates need to be employable. This paper reports on a qualitative pilot case study which explores the views of Masters of Information Systems (MIS) students in the business school of an Australian university. The study seeks to determine whether the courses in the MIS program prepare students for the workforce, and in which areas the MIS program can be improved to produce more work-ready students. The study also endeavours to appreciate the perceptions of MIS students on the balance of technical skills and business processes in the courses of the MIS program and whether participation in the MIS program has changed the career and life aspirations of the students. This study is expected to be the preliminary stage of more extensive research which consults with industry practitioners, academia, and a larger cohort of students. The project has the potential for several significant outcomes. There are benefits for the university as it aspires to lift both the enrolment in IS/IT education and the employment rate of IS/IT university graduates through assisting educators with more relevant curriculum design. There is the potential to increase the satisfaction and confidence of ICT graduates entering the workforce. Finally, there is a contribution to industry through the improved alignment between technical skills and business processes thus lessening the skills gap. The structure of the paper is as follows. A review is provided of the relevant literature from government, industry, and academia. This is followed by an outline of the research strategy used and the conduct of the study. The findings section of the paper contains a discussion of the results of the study. In the conclusion section, the project is summarised, the findings are reflected upon and related back to the literature and the strategic plan of the university. Finally, topics for future research are proposed. Review of the Literature Recent studies from government, industry, and academia forebode a crisis in the ICT sector. In 2004-2005, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ICT income was $87 billion (DCI-TA, 2006). In a recent article in ComputerWorld (Bushell-Embling, 2007), Gary Nairn, the Special Minister of State for the Australian Government, acknowledges the importance of addressing the skills shortage at the tertiary education level by issuing a challenge to government, industry, and educational institutions to work together to promote careers in ICT. …

Balancing Academic Advancement with Business Effectiveness?: The Dual Role for Senior University Leaders

Competing pressures have served to make universities increasingly complex organisations. Universities worldwide have been required to rely less on a “knowledge for knowledge’s sake” ethos to embrace a more “applied” or “user led” focus in an environment of mass education, decreased government funding and greater reliance upon collaboration with industry for funding of research and development. Concomitantly increasing administrative reporting and accreditation requirements see universities globally caught between the worlds of “Academe” and “business”. The question is how do universities build and maintain academic rigour while managing increasing internal and external accountabilities? How will the institution span its different “worlds” in the “unknown future” of the 21st century? Moreover, how are prepared are universities and education/knowledge organisations for the unprecedented age-related attrition which might be anticipated over the next five to ten years? This paper reviews literature and some evidence from the practice relating to management and leadership in university and knowledge environments. It scans external factors which might influence succession planning in leadership at a time when building leadership strength and safeguarding knowledge appears to be vital. The paper notes researched trends from data on perceptions of the practice of leading and managing in university and education/knowledge organisations and suggests some ways to harness organisational complexity positively to plan for a buoyant future.

The private sector: revenue source of the 80's.

An important and largely untapped source of revenue for community mental health centers is private business and industry. A model describes how one center is meeting the challenge of decreased government funding and budget cutbacks by offering profitable and needed services to local industry. Through the center's human resource consulting firm, Hamilton Associates, five programs are being delivered to businesses: Needs Assessment Programs, Management Training and Development Programs, Employee Assistance Programs, Health and Wellness Promotion Programs, and Selection and Appraisal Programs. The consulting firm publishes a bimonthly newsletter on human resource topics, conducts training workshops for the community, delivers regular speaking presentations to various business associations, and holds "wellness" luncheons to promote individual health. Suggestions and recommendations are given about service offerings, marketing, and development of such services.