Changes in Academic Work and the Chair Regime: The Case of German Business Administration Academics

Abstract

Today universities around the world are becoming subject to audits and evaluations that not only open them to outside scrutiny, but also force them to compete with each other for students, staff and funding. This development is supposed to lead to radical changes to academic work in business schools. Whereas there is an intensive debate about this issue in the UK, much less is known about changes in higher education in other European countries. This paper will show through the example of German business administration academics that similar pressures might not lead to similar outcomes. In the German system, hierarchy will remain more important than the market for academic work. Although role conflicts seem to increase for academics at all hierarchical levels, the traditional regime is likely to resist any far-reaching changes.

From academic communities to managed organisations: The implications for academic careers in UK and German universities

“…Management is absent and there is almost complete autonomy from external, non-collegiate influence; financial certainty and complete job security are guaranteed by the tenure system. Altogether, German professors still work within a reputationally based work organisation (Whitley, 1986) which is controlled from within its own ranks (Muller-Camen & Salzgeber, 2002).…”

“…They have administrative duties such as handling the computer equipment and organising the library, and assist the professor in his or her teaching and research. For the rest of their time they work on their doctoral thesis (Muller-Camen & Salzgeber, 2002).…”

“…The second examiner is often a professor from the same faculty, who is often not a specialist in this area. Therefore a good relationship with the chair, whose assistant they are, is important for an academic career (Muller-Camen & Salzgeber, 2002).…”

“…In the absence of alternative employment opportunities, promotion depends crucially on the relationship with the chair who in practice decides who gets a vacant position. When they start, senior assistants are normally in their early thirties (Muller-Camen & Salzgeber, 2002).…”

“…However, as other faculty members also play a role, it is advisable for the senior assistant to be active in the various committees of the faculty, and to meet the requirements of the faculty in terms of topics, methodology, and writing style rather than those of a national or international research community. Institutional goals and those of local reputational groups are more important than those of national and international research communities (Muller-Camen & Salzgeber, 2002). The habilitation is awarded to assistants who are often in their late thirties and so German scholars spend a large part of their careers in one institution.…”