This study explores the internationalisation of higher education institutions in the UK. First, the varying meanings and interpretations of internationalisation are examined, along with its relationship to terms such as globalisation and internationalism. The concept of “integrated internationalism” is introduced. Variations in institutional rationales for internationalisation, and the influence of national attitudes, are explored. The empirical research project then offers a snapshot of institutional internationalisation in the UK in 2005. It explores, via a predominantly qualitative, mixed methods approach, variations in interpretation and focus among UK HEIs. Institutional motivations are probed via a national survey, revealing that economic and prestigeorientated rationales tend to dominate, with social and academic rationales playing a lesser role. A subsequent comparison across three institutional case studies yields insights into the ways in which the ethos of internationalism is integrated with institutional mission and how the latter affects an institution’s international priorities. Through interviews and documentary analysis, both public and private faces of the institutions are illuminated, resulting in three distinctly different profiles. Common and contrasting themes are drawn out, reflecting some of the nuances of mission and values. From these are derived some recommendations and questions for consideration by leaders, policymakers and practitioners in institutions which are serious about internationalisation. A practical tool is proposed, which has the potential to help institutions interrogate their motivations for internationalisation as a prelude to strategy development. In light of the research, a revised interpretation of “integrated internationalism” is also suggested. The thesis concludes with a summary of my own personal development during the course of the DBA, which prefaces an update on recent, significant national developments related to internationalisation and a justification of the continued validity and relevance of the findings of this study.

The uptake and diffusion of the use of learning technologies in UK Higher Education is an instance of the adoption of change. There has been considerable research into the ways in which the uptake and diffusion of innovation can bring about change processes. This work has identified the importance of barriers and drivers to change as a part of the process. Areas of study have included general instances, those specific to technology and those relevant to the use of learning technology in higher education. It has also been shown that a Higher Education institution’s organisational structure may itself inhibit or constrain the way in which the institution can respond to external changes and adopt new practices. This study reviews the development and growth in the use of learning technologies. It sets these activities in the context of changes in computing in education and psychology from a UK and a US perspective. The study analyses an extensive survey of the use of learning technology at the University of Southampton, suggesting that institutional approaches are associated with organisational models and may amplify or dampen the known barriers and drivers for change. A study of experiences across a range of UK Higher Education Institutions provides further evidence for this argument.

The objective of this thesis has been to develop a framework to support the evaluation of information strategies of UK higher education institutions (REIs). For this study the theoretical and empirical literature was extensively reviewed and four substantial pieces of empirical research were conducted. These included action research CAR), two pieces of ethnographic research, and a case study. The AR analysed problems encountered with a Student Records System at a UK university and identified both immediate and deeper causes for these problems. Ethnography I involved the researcher's participation in the information strategy development process at the same university: This included consideration of the development processes adopted and also the way that decisions were taken. Ethnography II consisted of participant observation at a range of workshops and conferences organised by the Joint Information Systems Committee on information strategy development at UK REIs. These provided a broad picture of information strategy development procedures being adopted across these HEls. The case study investigated in detail the implementation of an information strategy at a university different from that examined in AR and Ethnography I. These empirical investigations all included in-depth interviews. In total 117 people of various levels and backgrounds involved in information strategies and associated information systems within UK HEIs were interviewed. Key findings from the empirical research were: Many HEIs in the process of developing an information strategy, or about to do so, were not fully sure how this should be achieved nor the extent of the likely benefits. Most HEIs implementing information strategies were using top-down directed system approaches, leaving little room for more inclusive bottom-up emergent planning. Information strategies need to be developed and evaluated using strongly human-centred methods, primarily because it became apparent that the successful functioning of such a strategy is dependent on the motivation and competencies of the people who create and use the information. Investigations into aspects of information strategy development and implementation need to focus on people's perceptions of the situation rather than seeking an objective truth independent of the participants. This reflects a Kantian perspective of knowledge. Overall, the empirical findings supported the use of a Critical Systems Thinking approach in the evaluation of information strategies at higher education institutions. The development of the evaluative framework, the main objective of the thesis, took place in two phases: developing the framework based on the literature review and revising the framework from the empirical research investigations involving a process of critical iteration. The first phase identified a range of elements associated with an HErs information strategy, and for each element highlighted the relevant theoretical andlor empirical literature that bears on the issues being addressed. In particular, the framework is strongly influenced by insights drawn from the work of three key social theorists: Kant, Habermas and Foucault. In addition, the framework includes 'guidelines for evaluation', where these are more practical questions to ask and areas to investigate when evaluating a given element ofthe strategy. The second phase took the framework through a series of reflections and revisions based on the findings from the empirical investigations. In each case, insights were gained that related to the use or applicability ofthe framework. By combining the findings from the theoretical and empirical literature with those from the empirical research, the final framework, which is believed to have filled a gap in the theoretical literature, aims to encompass the complexity of information strategy development and implementation within HEIs. The framework reflects a human-centred and Critical Systems Thinking approach, and is designed to allow potential evaluators to identify underlying causes for the success or failure of an information strategy that is implemented at an HEI.