A model for managing large-scale change: a higher education perspective

In recent years the environment in which higher education has had to operate has become increasingly complex, uncertain and turbulent, and has manifested an ever-increasing rate of change. The environmental changes are due to, for example, growing global competition, shifting stakeholder expectations, technological development, economic restructuring, different work and management practices and social reconstruction. The broad argument offered in this article is that successful change entails the permanent transformation of the "what is" state of higher education into a "what should/must be" state. The purpose of the article will therefore be to discuss key components and critical issues related to managing large-scale change in higher education. The reasons for inappropriate change patterns are explored and guidelines are suggested for establishing appropriate change paradigms. South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.15(2) 2001: 14-2