How Colleges Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series) [Paperback]

Robert Birnbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 29, 1991 | ISBN-10: 155542354X | ISBN-13: 978-1555423544

One of the best theoretical and applied analyses of university academic organization and leadership in print. This book is significant because it is not only thoughtfully developed and based on careful reading of the extensive literature on leadership and governance, but it is also deliberately intAnded to enable the author to bridge the gap between theories of organization, on one hand, and practical application, on the other.
?Journal of Higher Education

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best theoretical and applied analyses of university academic organization and leadership in print. This book is significant because it is not only thoughtfully developed and based on careful reading of the extensive literature on leadership and governance, but it is also deliberately intAnded to enable the author to bridge the gap between theories of organization, on one hand, and practical application, on the other."

From the Back Cover

"One of the best theoretical and applied analyses of university academic organization and leadership in print. This book is significant because it is not only thoughtfully developed and based on careful reading of the extensive literature on leadership and governance, but it is also deliberately intended to enable the author to bridge the gap between theories of organization, on one hand, and practical application, on the other." —Journal of Higher Education

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (July 29, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155542354X
• ISBN-13: 978-1555423544
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A General Theory for Higher Ed. Administration, September 30, 2000

By 

Joyce "palomaowl" (DURHAM, New Caledonia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Colleges Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series) (Paperback)

A highly theoretical text; Birnbaum takes the reader through a well-planned out dissection of the common systems and "loops of interaction" in a college or university setting. He mainly focuses on the division of power between administrators and faculty, and gives frameworks for how these groups may interact with each other, or within their group. Birnbaum shows the reader 5 fictional samples of institutions of higher education: collegial institutions, bureaucratic institutions, political institutions, and anarchical institutions. In his final section of the text, Birnbaum gives his idea of the ideal institution: the cybernetic institution, which encompasses characteristics of the four other types. I was a little disappointed that Birnbaum did not manage to tie up all the loose ends or to present a solid recommendation about how to create positive change in an institution of higher education. His theories of open and closed systems, dual control, and tight vs. weak coupling, however, are very insightful and well thought-out. A good basic framework.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars informative but dry, October 5, 2011

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J - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Colleges Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series) (Paperback)

Although dry in many places, this book provides a nice overview of the administrative styles common on various campuses. It is descriptive rather than prescriptive, but outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each style of governance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, February 6, 2011

By 

Christina A. Brown "Christina B. W." (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Colleges Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series) (Paperback)

I was assigned this book for a class in organizational theory for higher education. When I first saw the age of the book I was at first skeptical that it might not be applicable to the higher ed environment in 2011. I was wrong! Birnbaum's book was well written and I found that his ideas are just as applicable, and more importantly still useful, today. I highly recommend it as a starting point for understanding "how colleges work."