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Title: A Qualitative Examination of Strategic Planning and Process Improvement in Public Universities: Dynamics of the Relationship to State Funding, Competition, and Undergraduate Degree Completion.
Creator: Ford, Stanford E., Wright, Dianne A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are facing many challenges including state funding, competition, and maintaining the best possible graduation rate. This study: (1) examined the strategic plans and strategic planning processes to explore how, and to what extent, these tool are being used to address these challenges; and (2) explored the extent to which continuous process improvement is included in strategic planning efforts. A qualitative research design employing a grounded theory...
Show morePublic Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are facing many challenges including state funding, competition, and maintaining the best possible graduation rate. This study: (1) examined the strategic plans and strategic planning processes to explore how, and to what extent, these tool are being used to address these challenges; and (2) explored the extent to which continuous process improvement is included in strategic planning efforts. A qualitative research design employing a grounded theory approach was used in this study. The researcher reviewed the perceptions of the participants at each of four selected public institutions regarding strategic planning processes, including their beliefs with regard to process improvement as a component of the strategic planning process. Perceived facilitators and detractors of strategic planning and its implementation were also examined. Finally, the researcher sought to design an improved model for strategic planning in higher education that takes continuous process improvement into consideration as a basic component of the approach to planning. The dominant theme that emerged from the data analysis concerned state funding, as performance-based funding offers an opportunity to acquire additional funds. Graduation rate was identified as a core component of student success. Competition from emerging sectors was not a specific topic of discussion during the strategic planning processes. Forty-one percent of participants indicated that some form of process improvement structure exists at their institution, often related to accreditation reviews and was outside of the strategic planning process. 53% of the responses to the question, “What do you believe would be the impact of having process improvement as an integral component in the strategic planning process?” replied that it would be good or beneficial if it were carried out in a meaningful manner. Twenty-nine percent of the 53% stated that process improvement efforts are often performed for it’s own sake, and that including process improvement in the strategic planning process should be done in a manner that adds value to the strategic planning process and the institution. Through the analysis of the approaches to strategic planning examined in this study, the researcher offers a new strategic planning model for HEIs grounded in the findings.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005993
Subject Headings: Public universities and colleges, Strategic planning, Higher education and state, Education, Higher--Planning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparative, holistic, multi-case study of the implementation of the Strategic Thinking ProtocolÃ and traditional strategic planning processes at a southeastern university.
Creator: Robinson, Deborah J., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study explores the strategic thinking and strategic planning efforts in a department, college and university in the southeastern United States. The goal of the study was to identify elements of strategic planning processes that meet the unique organizational features and complexities of a higher education institution. The study employed a holistic, multi-case study approach, wherein three single case studies were conducted with one unit of analysis. The findings in each case were then...
Show moreThis study explores the strategic thinking and strategic planning efforts in a department, college and university in the southeastern United States. The goal of the study was to identify elements of strategic planning processes that meet the unique organizational features and complexities of a higher education institution. The study employed a holistic, multi-case study approach, wherein three single case studies were conducted with one unit of analysis. The findings in each case were then compared and contrasted to provide more evidence and confidence in the findings. The findings are framed by two constructs : strategic planning and strategic thinking. The conceptual framework for the study identified the distinction between the systematic nature of strategic planning and the more integrated perspective of strategic thinking. Traditional business based strategic planning model uses an analytical process, logic, linear thinking and a calculating process to develop a plan. Strategi c thinking places a premium on synthesis, systems thinking and a social cognitive process that results in an integrated perspective of the organization. The resluts of this study indicate that the use of the Strategic Thinking ProtocolÃ is suitable for higher education organizations to create a learning environment, to implement creative and emergent strategies, that result in the organization's positioning and responses to a rapidly changing environment. The strategic thinking process in both the department and college cases were found to be effective in altering the attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors of the participants. The integration of the plan is an ongoing process with strong beginnings in both the department and college cases., The traditional strategic planning process used in the university case was found not to be an effective model for higher education organizations. Finally, the inclusion of strategic thinking elements is an effective change model for higher education institutions.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3352827
Subject Headings: Universities and colleges, Administration, Case studies, Universities and colleges, Strategic planning, Case studies, Educational leadership, Case studies, Strategic planning, Case studies, Education, Higher, Administration, Case studies, School management and organization, Case studies
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The concept of fit: intersections in educational leadership.
Creator: Smith, Scott Vaughn., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this mixed method study was to understand how demographic fit, organizational fit, and group fit influenced secondary school assistant principal (AP) selection and assimilation for candidates who completed the Paradise School District (pseudonym) leadership training program during the 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 school years. However, the results indicated that Hispanic candidates were selected at a higher rate than other groups of candidates. The results also indicated that Black...
Show moreThe purpose of this mixed method study was to understand how demographic fit, organizational fit, and group fit influenced secondary school assistant principal (AP) selection and assimilation for candidates who completed the Paradise School District (pseudonym) leadership training program during the 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 school years. However, the results indicated that Hispanic candidates were selected at a higher rate than other groups of candidates. The results also indicated that Black candidates were selected at the same rate as the average for all candidates ; however these results may be misleading because Black candidates were disproportionally over-represented in the study sample. Regarding organizational fit, the study results suggested that candidates who indicated one of three specific Myers-Briggs personality types (ESTJ, ENTJ, or ENFP) were selected at higher rates than candidates of the other 13 personality types. The suggested personality traits for secondary school APs found in this study included (a) Extroversion (E), (b) Feeling (F), and (c) Judging (J). Candidates who referenced more than one hiring administrator, at or above the level of principal, were selected at higher rates than candidates who referenced only one principal. The inverviews suggested balancing the demographics of a school's administrative staff, using gender and race/ethnicity, to the the community the school serves was related to selection. The interviews also disclosed that Black, Hispanic, and candidates with expertise in operations and curricula might be suggested over other candidates. The interviews also suggested that networking, sponsorship, interview impressions, and references were related to the selection processes.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361061
Subject Headings: Educational leadership, School management and organization, Strategic planning, Interpersonal relations
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Executive fire officers' strategic thinking capabilities and the relationship with information and communication technology.
Creator: Penney, Gerri., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study investigates the relationship of executive fire officers' use of strategic thinking skills and their proficiency using information and communication technology. A non-experimental quantitative study design was employed. The study consisted of 400 graduates of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. The use of strategic thinking skills was measured by the Strategic Thinking Questionnaire (STQv6) (Pisapia & Reyes-Guerra, 2007). The use of information and...
Show moreThis study investigates the relationship of executive fire officers' use of strategic thinking skills and their proficiency using information and communication technology. A non-experimental quantitative study design was employed. The study consisted of 400 graduates of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. The use of strategic thinking skills was measured by the Strategic Thinking Questionnaire (STQv6) (Pisapia & Reyes-Guerra, 2007). The use of information and communication technology tools was measured by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Fluency Questionnaire (Hilberg, 2007). The EFOs' strategic thinking capabilities of systems thinking (3.58 +/- .447) and reflecting (3.82 +/- .445) compared to previously reported samples from the literature, both empirically and theoretically. Depending upon the sample, some means were significantly higher and others were significantly lower. The strategic thinking questionnaire and the ICT fluency questionnaire were not directly correlated to one another ; however, there were some strong correlations within their subscales. ICT fluency and ICT comfort were highly correlated (r = .516), as well as systems thinking and reflecting (r = .688) at the 0.05 level. There was a significant correlation between age and ICT comfort (r = -.235), as well as between years of experience and ICT comfort (r = -.203) at the 0.05 level. Age moderated the relationship between systems thinking*reflection, and ICT comfort. Race moderated the relationship between systems thinking*reflection, and ICT education/training. This research was significant because it was the first time that Executive Fire Officers have been studied regarding their strategic thinking capabilities and their information and communications technology fluency.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683132
Subject Headings: Strategic planning, Knowledge management, Public administration, Decision making, Management information systems, Fire departments, Management, Organizational effectiveness, Transformational leadership
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Perceptions of industry practitioners toward an academic degree program in public assembly facility management.
Creator: Riordan, James J., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Utilizing a modified Delphi Technique research study, consensus was sought from 298 practitioners in the public assembly facility management (PAFM) industry regarding their perceptions on varied matters connected to the academic preparation of managers/executives serving the industry. A comprehensive literature review and a prior pilot study were conducted for the purpose of creating the initial survey (Questionnaire 1). The pilot study consisted of an open-ended interview session with a...
Show moreUtilizing a modified Delphi Technique research study, consensus was sought from 298 practitioners in the public assembly facility management (PAFM) industry regarding their perceptions on varied matters connected to the academic preparation of managers/executives serving the industry. A comprehensive literature review and a prior pilot study were conducted for the purpose of creating the initial survey (Questionnaire 1). The pilot study consisted of an open-ended interview session with a panel (N=16) of PAFM managers. Sixty-four (64) of 66 consensus-seeking items attained consensus from the respondents (N=298) after Questionnaire 1 results were tabulated. Respondents were given the opportunity to re-assess their Questionnaire 1 choices in Questionnaire 2 and if compelled, change them. Items related to Kinesiology and Physical Education did not attain consensus status in Questionnaire 1 or Questionnaire 2. This study concluded: a) academic program in PAFM is beneficial to the industry (96%) and 63.5% viewed the degree as very important or essential; b) the preferred academic delivery level was Bachelors/undergraduate (52.7%); c) the degree program should be housed in Business (42%); d) the preferred competencies and skill sets were identified; e) the preferred course components were identified., Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the type of public assembly facility where a respondent worked and the preferred academic unit of the program, as well as preferred general course components. Recommendations for future research include: (a) conducting a similar study employing solely qualitative methodology; (b) seeking potential significant relationships with gender, ethnicity, geographic location, ownership and governance of facilities, years of experience; and (c) comparing and contrasting results of this study among faculty who currently teach public assembly facility management courses and the students that are in said courses . The rising cost of providing safe and cost-efficient public assembly facilities require that the people operate these facilities possess the best set of managerial, administrative and technical skills related to the management of these facilities; this study aids in that quest by suggesting competencies and course components, and potentially a PAFM general academic curriculum, based on practitioner viewpoint.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186765
Subject Headings: Facility management, Strategic planning, Executives, Training of, Creative ability in business, Management, Education, Aims and objectives
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Policy entrepreneurship: a descriptive portrait of higher education leaders.
Creator: Felsher, Rivka A., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: As the gap between the haves and have-nots widens, the call for reform in higher education in the United States intensifies. Policy actors, philanthropists, and academics from across the political spectrum work on various policy solutions, creating a policy environment that is complex and often contentious. Incrementalists claim that major policy reform is unlikely since unknown variables and inexplicable events can stall or dismantle policy initiatives. In such environments, policy...
Show moreAs the gap between the haves and have-nots widens, the call for reform in higher education in the United States intensifies. Policy actors, philanthropists, and academics from across the political spectrum work on various policy solutions, creating a policy environment that is complex and often contentious. Incrementalists claim that major policy reform is unlikely since unknown variables and inexplicable events can stall or dismantle policy initiatives. In such environments, policy entrepreneurs—those individuals who advocate for policy innovation, work for change, and help shape policy solutions from within and without government—try to break through the barriers of incremental politics. As important as this role is to the influencing and structuring of higher educational policy, it has not yet been explored. This study fills this gap in the extant literature by cataloging the characteristics and skills that enable higher education policy entrepreneurs at the state and national levels to persevere and accomplish sustainable and innovative higher education reforms over time.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004367, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004367
Subject Headings: Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives, Educational leadership, Entrepreneurship, Organizational effectiveness, Policy sciences, Strategic planning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Predictors of undergraduate academic success.
Creator: Glick-Cuenot, Sheri L., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study attempted the answer to two primary questions: (a) Are strategic thinking skills possessed by college students prior to university matriculation related to their academic success in college, and (b) How does the predictive accuracy afforded by these skills compare to that from high school grade point average or standardized test scores?
Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004287, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004287
Subject Headings: Achievement in education, Creative thinking, Educational tests and measurements, Learning, Psychology of, Prediction of scholastic success -- Mathematical models, Strategic planning
Format: Document (PDF)

Educational leadership (3)	+ -
Management (2)	+ -
Organizational effectiveness (2)	+ -
School management and organization (2)	+ -
Achievement in education (1)	+ -

Administration (1)	+ -
Aims and objectives (1)	+ -
Case studies (1)	+ -
Creative ability in business (1)	+ -
Creative thinking (1)	+ -
Decision making (1)	+ -
Education (1)	+ -
Education, Higher (1)	+ -
Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives (1)	+ -
Education, Higher--Planning (1)	+ -
Educational tests and measurements (1)	+ -
Entrepreneurship (1)	+ -
Executives (1)	+ -
Facility management (1)	+ -
Fire departments (1)	+ -
Higher education and state (1)	+ -
Interpersonal relations (1)	+ -
Knowledge management (1)	+ -
Learning, Psychology of (1)	+ -
Management information systems (1)	+ -
Policy sciences (1)	+ -
Prediction of scholastic success -- Mathematical models (1)	+ -
Public administration (1)	+ -
Public universities and colleges (1)	+ -

College of Education (7)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (3)	+ -
Pisapia, John (2)	+ -
Felsher, Rivka A. (1)	+ -
Ford, Stanford E. (1)	+ -

Glick-Cuenot, Sheri L. (1)	+ -
Penney, Gerri. (1)	+ -
Riordan, James J. (1)	+ -
Robinson, Deborah J. (1)	+ -
Smith, Scott Vaughn. (1)	+ -
Wright, Dianne A. (1)	+ -

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