College operating systems

Abstract

Operating systems play a key role in the effective and efficient management of a college of Further and Higher Education. Since the incorporation of colleges in 1993 financial constraints and increasing competition in the further education sector have emphasised the core-periphery model of organisation in colleges, with an increasing use of part-time and temporary staff that has increased the need for effective and efficient operating systems. This research examines the perceptions of staff below Senior Management Team level as to the efficacy of operating systems, and includes data collected from 24 respondents horizontally across a college of further and higher education and vertically from the hierarchy to achieve cross-case comparison within the study. Particular emphasis is placed on 'hearing the voice' of the staff and listening to their perceptions and personal experiences of interfacing with the college operation systems. The research is case study based using a semi-structured questionnaire to provide a framework for collecting interview data. Analysis has been completed through multi-method analysis using both quantitative and qualitative data to draw upon the strengths of both techniques. The thesis concludes that the effective and efficient operating of a college depends on the management philosophy that has developed within the organisation and its approach to devising, installing and monitoring operating systems. Colleges and other similar organisations may benefit from attention being paid to training staff in systems operation, improving the management of the systems and improving the leadership provided by the Senior Management Team within a supportive learning environment. The product of this investigation may be of interest to college managers, mangers of other educational establishments and managers of public services generally.

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