Higher education system governance: an exploratory study of presidential decision making in the kentucky community and technical college system

Summary. Six themes emerged from the qualitative interview data and documents, including: (a) flexibility; (b) system alignment; (c) governance structures; (d) combined effort; and, (e) location of authority. Additionally, exploration of the relationship between themes was examined in the preceding sections to further understand how presidents share academic, administrative, and personnel decision making. Figure 4.2 illustrates the relationship between the emergent themes as well as factors that connect the themes together.

Policy Parameters
Flexibility
Local Differences

Combined Effort

Location of Authority

Governance Structures
Alignment
Policy

Feedback and

Recommendations
Roles, Responsibilities, Duties, and Powers
Policy Framing

Figure 4.2. Relationship among emergent themes identified in the study.

Policy was at the center of flexibility, alignment, and governance structures. Flexibility was reinforced by policy as participants pointed to flexibility in decision making to the extent of policy parameters. These parameters allowed presidents to meet local needs, but also reinforced system alignment. Moreover, policy framing reinforced system alignment such that system policy framed college policy. Finally, policy, which outlined processes and procedures, reinforced governance structures for decision making because it outlined how decisions were made and who was involved in the decision making process.

Furthermore, policy outlined the location of authority for decision making, which was often attributed to the roles, responsibilities, duties, and powers of particular

positions or governance structures. However, even with specified locations of authority, analysis revealed a combined effort indicative of shared decision making that involved feedback and recommendations. Policy further echoed the use of feedback and recommendations at multiple levels within the system and colleges as well as through involvement of external stakeholders.