Title: Strategy crafting in a selected group of Turkish universities

Authors: Nisan Selekler-Goksen; Beyza Oba

Addresses: Department of International Trade, Bogazici University, 34342 Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey ' Department of Business Administration, Istanbul Bilgi University, 34060 Eyup, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of intensifying competition in higher education on the market and non-market strategies of universities and the governance structure through which these strategies are crafted. Competition creates pressures towards both diversity and homogeneity although their relative strength is contested in past studies. This study contributes to the literature by analysing the issue in a state-dependent higher education system and taking into consideration the role of the state as a strong regulator in the field. The sample involves four universities in Turkey with different ownership structures (public/private) and dominant orientations (research/teaching). Archival sources and semi-structured interviews are used to collect data. Findings show that homogeneity pervades the market and non-market strategies with diversity appearing on a smaller scale while governance structures are more likely to display differences.

Keywords: higher education; state-dependent higher education systems; market strategy in higher education; non-market strategy in higher education; university governance; public universities; foundation universities; Turkey.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2018.090746

International Journal of Management in Education, 2018 Vol.12 No.2, pp.179 - 200

Received: 20 Mar 2017
Accepted: 02 Aug 2017
Published online: 27 Mar 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article