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When Culture And Change Collide In Higher Education: A Case Study At One University, Steven A. Petersen, Susan M. Bartel

Administrative Issues Journal

Leaders in higher education regularly find themselves at the intersection of change, torn between their institution’s history and culture, the intrinsic value of education, market needs, and the desires of alumni, current, and prospective students. Higher education is often labeled reluctant to change, and many believe any change initiative not aligned with the institution’s culture is almost certain to fail. This study provides evidence that leaders in higher education can implement change that is incongruent with organizational culture while maintaining harmony among the institution’s ideals and constituents. University X, a medium-sized, highly regarded public institution located in a rural area, …