Affirmative action implementation at 183 public and private doctorate-granting universities was studied. Based on high institutional scores on a change index, three universities were selected as case study sites. Factors and processes thought to account for the amount of change that occurred on behalf of women faculty on each campus during the 1970s are described. Case synopses are followed by cross-site comparisons and implications for the literature on federally-mandated change. The progress at individual universities was compared using data from National Center for Education Statistics' annual employee surveys. Change was measured by combined scores in five areas: change in the proportion of women on the faculty, change in the ratio of male to female faculty, change in the number of women on the faculty, change in the number of female full professors, and change in the number of tenured women. Open-ended interviews were also conducted with faculty, administrators, affirmative action staff, and representatives of campus-based women's organizations at the case study institutions. Findings from the case studies emphasize the importance of manipulable factors in creating positive change, especially the role of sustained effective leadership for the change effort. (SW)