The issue of performance in Higher education institution - Community partnerships: A Canadian perspective

Abstract

Higher education institutions are expected to account for their performance and this increasingly includes strengthening community relationships. However, assessment of Higher education institution (HEI)-Community partnerships is nascent. In this study we seek to discern the situation of these partnerships and examine accountability for performance in Canada, thereby advancing understanding about this international phenomenon. A search of Canadian HEIs was carried out to identify those with an explicit mandate relating to community relationships and an initial questionnaire was distributed to their offices. Results afford insights into the present state of HEI-Community partnerships in Canada. A second questionnaire, distributed to individuals within the HEIs as well as community partners, examined how best to assess the performance of HEI-Community partnerships. Indicators and measures associated with a three-fold framework (inputs, processes, outcomes) were validated, offering important and timely advancements to HEIs in the era of accountability and performance-based funding.

Higher Education Institution–Community Partnerships: Measuring the Performance of Sustainability Science Initiatives

“…A second, related transformation underway is the accountability agenda for HEIs (Huisman & Currie, 2004) and the associated emphasis on performance-based metrics and funding (de Boer et al, 2015;Jongbloed et al, 2018). With the mission of HEIs expanding and emphasizing partnerships, there is an amplified need to determine appropriate corresponding mechanisms for performance assessment (Hart & Northmore, 2011;Holton et al, 2015;Plummer et al, 2021).…”

“…Therefore, core indicators should also be relevant to both entities within a partnership. Beyond this preliminary progress, the development of a rigorous framework and method for monitoring and evaluation is absent in the scholarship on HEI-community partnerships (Bowen & Martens, 2006;Brinkerhoff, 2002;Holton et al, 2015;Plummer et al, 2021;Rubin, 2000;Srinivas et al, 2015).…”

“…Important inroads have recently been made in responding to the above void, offering both conceptual and methodological advancements. In drawing upon theoretical and applied experiences in the broader HEI-community partnership literature, Plummer et al (2021) conceptualized a measure for assessing the performance of HEI-community partnerships. They focused on three salient aspects for successful partnerships-inputs, processes, and outcomes.…”

“…Finally, outcomes include what is produced as well as the impacts for those directly involved in the partnership (e.g., publications, satisfaction with the experience, learning). Upon this basis, Plummer et al (2021) developed a measurement mechanism for assessing the continuous performance of HEI-community partnerships. A questionnaire was sent to individuals engaged in HEI-community partnerships (including personnel from both the HEI and the community entity) and they were asked to rate their level of agreement with aspects and indicators for assessing HEI-community partnership performance.…”

“…Whereas HEIs have historically been concerned with accomplishments regarding research, teaching and learning (Farnell, 2020), their relationship with the community is garnering attention as an important aspect to assess performance (Brundiers & Wiek, 2011). Often referred to as the 'third mission' of HEIs, these partnerships are distinct from past interactions with communities and emphasize activities which contribute to societal betterment (Plummer et al, 2021;Secundo et al, 2017). As the mission of HEIs increasingly highlight their commitment to working in partnerships for societal enhancement, they need to concurrently devise corresponding mechanisms to identify, track, and gauge performance (Holton et al, 2015).…”