Research Seminar: Change management in Universities - The Case of Finland

In common with higher education institutions in many European countries, Finnish universities have undergone several projects involving significant change. These include examination reform, salary system reform, quality enhancement, strategic management and mergers. These reforms have presented a huge challenge for Universities. In general, change presents a risk factor for organisations and their personnel. Sometimes change can leave the organization weaker at operational level than it had been before. It is also true that universities and their administration were not set up to implement such change, but rather to manage academic operations.

In this presentation we will look at how change management has affected Finnish universities. Using change management theory, we will examine three essential elements which are highly relevant to the academic community in implementing reforms.  These are:  (1) critical reflectivity, (2) evidence based actions in change and (3) open communication and trust.

RSVP:  Katy Anderson, Centre for Lifelong Learning,   [email protected] 

Please email to advise if you will be attending the seminar and the lunch at 12.30

All Welcome