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The dilemma of presidential leadership. R Birnbaum, PD Eckel. American higher education in the twenty-first century: Social, political …. , 2005. 142. 2005. Presidential succession and...
Background. Birnbaum, Robert was born on August 6, 1936 in New York City. Son of David and Betty (Risk) Birnbaum. Education. Bachelor of Arts, University Rochester, New York, 1958; Master of Arts, Teachers College Columbia University, New York City, 1964; Doctor of Education, Teachers College Columbia University, 1967. Career.
- “A Paradox of Complexity and Simplicity”
- Incentive-Based Budgeting
- Consolidated Administrative Services
- The Next Generation of Fads
Birnbaum defines higher education management fads as any “practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal.” Pressured to become more effective and efficient, colleges and universities have adopted new techniques, processes, and systems that were originally designed to meet the needs of business. Birnbaum argues that a hallmark of hig...
Incentive-based budgeting (IBB)—sometimes called responsibility-center management—is an old idea whose popularity recently blossomed in higher education. Building upon Harvard University’s budget model of “every tub on its own bottom,” University of Pennsylvania president Martin Meyerson introduced a more market-driven approach to higher education ...
Management consulting firms have argued that higher education is experiencing a crucible moment in which dramatic change is necessary to stem hemorrhaging spending and produce more skilled laborers. For several of these firms, such as Accenture, colleges and universities can achieve desired efficiencies by consolidating, or sharing, noncore or supp...
Incentive-based budgeting and consolidated administrative services adhere to key elements of Birnbaum’s framework for identifying and understanding higher education management fads. While it is possible that both IBB and consolidated administrative services will become thoroughly integrated into higher education systems and processes, potential ado...
In this thoughtful book, Robert Birnbaum scrutinizes the rise and fall of management fads in higher education since the 1960s. He shows administrators and faculty how to move beyond the hype of new fads to make wise, informed decisions and adopt sound management policies.
Jul 5, 2021 · In his seminal work “How Colleges Work” Bob (Robert) Birnbaum poses the ultimate question on the paradox of universities and colleges in the US. How comes, he asks, is it that they are amongst the largest industries in the country with an unparalleled reputation for diversity and quality, but are also regarded as poorly managed.
- Leo Goedegebuure
In this thoughtful book, Robert Birnbaum scrutinizes the rise and fall of management fads in higher education since the 1960s. He shows administrators and faculty how to move beyond the hype of new fads to make wise, informed decisions and adopt sound management policies.
ROBERT BIRNBAUM is professor of higher education at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he teaches and writes about higher academic leadership and organization.
