The role of the governing board in higher education institutions

More autonomy to institutions andincreased focus on institutional policiesimplies that institutional governing bodies arebecoming central actors in developingstrategies for universities or colleges. TheBoard of the institution is an important actorin the decision-making process and formallythe most central elected strategic body at theinstitutional level. The governing Board can beviewed as an important arena for institutionalchange and is also responsible for qualityassurance, efficiency and effectiveness. Thisarticle investigates the role of the governingBoards in higher education institutions. Threeperspectives on organisations are used in orderto illuminate the Board's roles. Aninstrumental perspective focuses on roles thatmay be expected according to the mandate of theBoard. The point of departure for this approachis the legal base of the Board.Neo-institutional theory focuses attention onthe possible decoupling between the formalstructure and actual behaviour, and discussesthe circumstances under which this arises. In apolitical model the Board is seen as an arenafor the practice of power and promotion ofinterests where the members have conflictingpreferences which they attempt to advancethrough negotiation and formation ofcoalitions.