Title: Exploring societal responses towards managerial prerogative in entrepreneurial universities

Authors: Lisa Callagher; Maja Horst; Kenneth Husted

Addresses: Department of Management and International Business, University of Auckland Business School, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand ' Department of Media, Communication and Cognition, University of Copenhagen, Karen Blixens vej 4, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark ' Department of Management and International Business, University of Auckland Business School, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Aalto University School of Business, Runebergsgatan 14-16, 00100 Helsingfors, Finland

Abstract: Society's expectations for an increased role in science agenda setting and greater returns on public science investments shift university management practices. Entrepreneurial university, new public management, and sociology of science literatures inform the changing expectations about the roles and norms that govern university management and scientists' behaviours but scholars have paid limited attention to societal responses when those changing roles and norms are employed. We examine societal responses towards managerial prerogative in managing scientists in public universities. Content analysis of media data from six cases of universities in Denmark and New Zealand demonstrates extended societal engagement regarding organisation-related topics, a division of opinion regarding managerial prerogative towards sanction of scientists' behaviours, and constrained ability of employers and employees to engage in public debate due to employment law issues. Implications for researchers and university managers engaging with society and the role of communication competencies to achieve the third mission are discussed.

Keywords: entrepreneurial universities; higher education; society; public understanding of science; research management; content analysis; science communication; societal responses; managerial prerogative; Denmark; New Zealand; scientists; scientist behaviours; public debate; employment law; university management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2015.069074

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2015 Vol.8 No.1, pp.64 - 82

Received: 08 Mar 2014
Accepted: 24 Nov 2014

Published online: 26 Apr 2015 *

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