This study is a hermeneutic investigation into the phenomenon of organizational role conflict as experienced by five long-term department chairpersons, four long-term department heads, and two former long-term department chairpersons working at universities and colleges located in Indiana, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Organizational role conflict…

Literature shows that the role of academic middle managers (AMMs) has been a subject of contestation for a long time the world over owing to the fact that there has not been a clear cut articulation of what exactly this role constitutes or means. Such a situation according to literature has tended to affect the way the AMMs enact their role in…

This article provides a detailed description and analysis of how one Canadian institution used groups of department heads as change agents to address their most acute department head role tensions. It is demonstrated that this institution's change initiative aligned very closely to the recommendations proposed, in both the literature pertaining to…

Using data from the National Study of Academic Deans, examined the relationships between academic deans' roles, conflict, and ambiguity, postulating that the same roles in which they engage today will be challenges in the future unless conflict and ambiguity are lessened. Discusses the implications of these issues and recommends strategies for…

Examines the effects of role conflicts and role ambiguities on university department chairpersons who belong to the University Council for Educational Administration. Concludes role ambiguity, especially in the areas of student affairs, departmental governance, faculty affairs, external communications, and professional development, increases job…

Describes the particular problems of a Native American dean and educational problems of Native American college students who have few role models or social supports to rely on and often question their own identity. (JAC)

This report considers the tenure system and its relation to academic freedom and focuses on Florida and the University of Florida. Role conflicts between faculty and administrators are presented including a discussion of viewpoints over budget allocations. An overview is given of the position or role attributes, status, and functions of the…

A probe was made into the relationship between perceived role conflict and focal person satisfaction, as measured by the reported need deficiency of university department chairmen. Additionally, six key decision areas were examined exploring the existence of role conflict in departmental chairman decisionmaking. (Author)

Reports a study that examined sources of influence over 290 faculty members. Examines role expectations of faculty members, employing organization, and departmental colleagues for teaching, research, and administrative roles. Also examines role conflict for faculty and explores implications for role theory and for understanding of faculty…

Studied the coping methods of 20 female higher education administrators who combined career and family roles. Results indicated that they were efficient but had to make sacrifices and lower standards, such as delaying writing for publication, obtaining advanced degrees, and taking vacations. (JAC)

The position of advising coordinator poses an administrative challenge. The advising coordinator must manage the provision of a service but not be a manager of advisors. The role is seen as important because of increasing emphasis on advising in many schools and colleges. (MLW)

The subjective, as well as the managerial aspects of the change from teaching faculty to administrator status, deserve attention. Sense of identity, social interactions, and scope of responsibility are some of the sources of tension and incongruity in an administrator's life. (MSE)

Academic deans, especially in liberal arts colleges, have been called amateurs because they have not been schooled for the position and have not had previous experience in the dean's office. A study of the official logbooks of three deans and the author's own experience are used to document the elements of the role of a dean. (Author/PHR)

The role and function of the university attorney in relation to educational policy-making, administrative science, and institutional decision-making warrants investigation due to an increase in concern for legislation and litigation in higher education that parallels an increase in the systematic study of higher education. Through a social…

The problems of management within the university community are discussed with consideration given to various facets of creative management. The nature of conflict is defined as a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power, and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals. The…