Compares how academic department chairs at colleges and universities in Australia and the U.S. define their tasks. Major differences noted include the propensity of U.S. chairs to think of soliciting ideas for departmental improvement as a long-term endeavor, whereas Australian chairs perceive of idea solicitation as an administrative task, and…

A survey of 1,017 academic deans examined the fit between academic deans and their work environments in the U.S. and Australia, relating it to multiple role stress factors, and identifying personal, institutional, and work-defining variables that either increase or decrease dean stress. Five strategies are suggested to improve the…

This study identified and compared the environmental pressures and work-related stresses that impact the chairs of academic departments at universities in Australia and the United States. Surveys were mailed to every department chair at all 40 Australian universities (1680 chairs) with a 51 percent response rate. Surveys were also mailed to a…