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Hunting the Snark or Leading with Purpose? Managing the Enterprise University

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

David Poole  and
Bob Robertson
David Poole
Affiliation:
School of Management, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC NSW 1797, Australia Phone: 02 9852 4133, Fax: 02 9852 4185, Email: [email protected]
Bob Robertson
Affiliation:
Executive Director and Vice-President, University Enterprises, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia Phone: 02 9514 8070, Fax:, 02 9514 8066, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

In Lewis Carroll's classic poem, ‘The Hunting of the Snark’, there is little understanding about what a ‘Snark’ actually might be. There is similar disagreement about the ways in which contemporary universities should be led and managed, and few writers move beyond broad generalisations for action. This is particularly truc for writers analysing higher education from the perspectives of sociological analyses (eg. Meek & Wood 1997) political economy, and institutional theory perspectivcs (eg. Marginson & Considine 2000). Building on recent research by Poole (2000, 2001a), the paper charts current understandings of university governance and leadership, identifies research gaps, and begins to explore how apparently dichotomous managerial choices may be reconciled by university leaders confronting the complexities of managing the enterprise university.

      To seek it with thimbles, to seek it with care
      To pursue it with forks and hope
      To threaten its life with a railway-share
      To charm it with smiles and soap!
      For the Snark's a peculiar creature that won't
      Be caught in a commonplace way.
      Do all that you know, and try all that you don't:
      Not a chance must be wasted today!
      (Carroll 1973)

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , January 2003 , pp. 8 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2003

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