Transformation Management at a University-Based Business School

Abstract

This study focuses on the process of institutionalisation of a new management and educational system (MTBS) in a Malaysian top university-based business school, disguised as AGSB. Specifically, the study looks at the changes brought by MTBS transformation programme introduced by government. An explanatory case study method is used whereby data are collected through semi-structured interviews, document reviews, informal conversation and observations. Using Neo Institutional Theory and Institutional Theory of Educational Organizations, the data from this study reveal that MTBS created a legitimacy dilemma for AGSB and subsequently led to mere incremental changes in the management and educational practices. The main reason is that the MBTS holds a complex set of conflicting value propositions to be provided by AGSB. Regarding management, the MTBS proposes profit maximisation as the main value proposition for the management. As for education, the MTBS proposes multiple value propositions, including career-enhancement-salary-increasing, practice-based education, and scholarly- based education for developing intellectuals. This is from the normative policy making perspective. In real life situation, however, MTBS proved that it is not more than wishful thinking. Compared to the drastic nature of the change required, the apparent incremental changes made in the management and educational practices in AGSB are more or less negligible or even negative. This study has shown that the intention to institutionalise new management and educational practices may not materialise if there is no normative match between the assumptions, norms, and beliefs brought by the new system and the identity of educational organisations.



Author Information
Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College, Qatar
Siti Nabiha Abdul Khalid, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Mellissa Ng Abdullah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Paper Information
Conference: SEACE2023
Stream: Educational policy

This paper is part of the SEACE2023 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Ahmed H., Khalid S., & Abdullah M. (2023) Transformation Management at a University-Based Business School ISSN: 2435-5240 The Southeast Asian Conference on Education 2023: Official Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-5240.2023.12
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-5240.2023.12


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Posted by James Alexander Gordon