Digitalization attempts in higher education: the role of imprinting and the effect of business departments.
Saved in:
| Title: | Digitalization attempts in higher education: the role of imprinting and the effect of business departments. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Köpsell, Saskia (AUTHOR), Oertel, Simon (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Studies in Higher Education. Apr2025, Vol. 50 Issue 4, p771-789. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Higher education research, Universities & colleges, Higher education, Organizational structure, Structural analysis (Engineering) |
| Abstract: | In recent decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have increasingly been exposed to a market logic that has led them to adopt structures and practices that are common in for-profit firms. In our study, we analyze how HEIs react to the increasing demands of digitalization and which factors explain the adoption of relevant structures. Based on 379 HEIs in Germany, our findings show that imprinting is of great importance for the implementation of a position for digitalization – that is, HEIs founded in a more recent phase of higher education in Germany are more likely to create a leadership position for digitalization. At the same time, we find that imprinting has no effect on the creation of more operational positions for digitalization but that the existence of a business department in HEIs has a positive effect. We discuss these findings in the context of higher education research and questions about factors influencing the adoption of practices and structures in HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Studies in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | In recent decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have increasingly been exposed to a market logic that has led them to adopt structures and practices that are common in for-profit firms. In our study, we analyze how HEIs react to the increasing demands of digitalization and which factors explain the adoption of relevant structures. Based on 379 HEIs in Germany, our findings show that imprinting is of great importance for the implementation of a position for digitalization – that is, HEIs founded in a more recent phase of higher education in Germany are more likely to create a leadership position for digitalization. At the same time, we find that imprinting has no effect on the creation of more operational positions for digitalization but that the existence of a business department in HEIs has a positive effect. We discuss these findings in the context of higher education research and questions about factors influencing the adoption of practices and structures in HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 03075079 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03075079.2024.2355349 |
