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Academic Autonomy and Freedom under Pressure: Severely Limited, or Alive and Kicking?

Author

Listed:
  • Joel D. Aberbach

    (UCLA)

  • Tom Christensen

    (University of Oslo)

Abstract

Academic freedom and the autonomy of academic institutions (their freedom from outside interference) are core values in contemporary academic life. This article outlines changes that have taken place in the last few decades that impact academic freedom and autonomy to at least some degree. These include the increasing catering by universities to stake-holders in the environment, increasing professionalization of university administrations, an evolving pattern of broadening authority over internal university decision-making, and an increasing attention to student (i.e. customer) needs. Two case studies -- one of recent decisions in the University of California system and the other at the University of Oslo -- illustrate the theoretical points in the article and point to the need to know a lot more about academic autonomy and academic freedom, especially in an environment of changing management practices and scarce resource bases for many institutions. The cases were selected because of the authors’ familiarity with them and are examples meant to illuminate some of the challenges and complexities inherent in the phenomena and to inspire further research on academic freedom and autonomy utilizing the instrumental and institutional perspectives from organization theory that are the core of our theoretical analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel D. Aberbach & Tom Christensen, 2018. "Academic Autonomy and Freedom under Pressure: Severely Limited, or Alive and Kicking?," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 487-506, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:18:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s11115-017-0394-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-017-0394-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johan P. Olsen & Peter Maassen, 2007. "European Debates on the Knowledge Institution:The Modernization of the University at the European Level," ARENA Working Papers 17, ARENA.
    2. March, James G. & Olson, Johan P., 1983. "Organizing Political Life: What Administrative Reorganization Tells Us about Government," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 77(2), pages 281-296, June.
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