Faculty Opinion on Emerging Corporatization in Public Universities

In order to independently and sustainably implement their functions in response to reduced financial support from government, public university management is embracing corporate culture, which has been traditionally associated with the private sector. Given the complexity of the university business environment, this paradigm shift may find itself at variance with increasing local democratisation and internationalisation of higher education. This paper discusses opinions on corporate culture in the management of public universities in the context of their quest for world-class status. A survey design was used to collect data based on 16 total quality management indicators between 2009 and 2010. From a design sample size of 100, a 45% response rate was received. Although these opinions are not based on empirical data, findings show that academic faculty lack the sense of belonging and feel generally marginalised when it comes to key decisions that directly affect them. As such they work for survival's sake and not out of passion. This work culture entrenches the notion of “brains in the drain”, which inevitably undermines quality assurance in service delivery. This critical review paper argues for deliberate investment into symbiotic management systems as a way of reversing this trend