Strategic planning by academic institutions — following the corporate path?

This article compares the findings from two surveys of strategic planning practices in Australia: those of academic institutions and those of manufacturing corporations. The similarities and differences are identified and in broad terms explained by the stage of evolution of strategic planning that has been reached by academic institutions when compared to corporations. Given the recent questioning of the value of strategic planning by corporations, the validity of academic institutions continuing on this path is questioned with the conclusion that the planning process per se is desirable.