How Colleges Work : The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series)

Rating:
Summary: A General Theory for Higher Ed. Administration
Review: A highly theoretical text; Birnbaum takes the reader through a well-planned out dissection of the common systems and "loops of interaction" in a college or university setting. He mainly focuses on the division of power between administrators and faculty, and gives frameworks for how these groups may interact with each other, or within their group. Birnbaum shows the reader 5 fictional samples of institutions of higher education: collegial institutions, bureaucratic institutions, political institutions, and anarchical institutions. In his final section of the text, Birnbaum gives his idea of the ideal institution: the cybernetic institution, which encompasses characteristics of the four other types. I was a little disappointed that Birnbaum did not manage to tie up all the loose ends or to present a solid recommendation about how to create positive change in an institution of higher education. His theories of open and closed systems, dual control, and tight vs. weak coupling, however, are very insightful and well thought-out. A good basic framework.

Rating:
Summary: A General Theory for Higher Ed. Administration
Review: A highly theoretical text; Birnbaum takes the reader through a well-planned out dissection of the common systems and "loops of interaction" in a college or university setting. He mainly focuses on the division of power between administrators and faculty, and gives frameworks for how these groups may interact with each other, or within their group. Birnbaum shows the reader 5 fictional samples of institutions of higher education: collegial institutions, bureaucratic institutions, political institutions, and anarchical institutions. In his final section of the text, Birnbaum gives his idea of the ideal institution: the cybernetic institution, which encompasses characteristics of the four other types. I was a little disappointed that Birnbaum did not manage to tie up all the loose ends or to present a solid recommendation about how to create positive change in an institution of higher education. His theories of open and closed systems, dual control, and tight vs. weak coupling, however, are very insightful and well thought-out. A good basic framework.

Rating:
Summary: Enriching and must book for CEOs
Review: I would grade this book as the 10 star must book for every CEO and would reccommend to eveyone who is genuinely interested in the business of higher education administration. The author deals with many types of power and this is, to my opinion, one of the brightest and essential parts of the book. I generally admire Dr. Birnbaum and enjoy reading his books very much. It is a great privilege and opportunity that AMAZON has this book and one can get the book. The other brights sides of this book have been reviewed and thouroughly studied by many professionals. The book has been in great demand at the universities where the highed EdAdmin is studied.