The purpose of this research has been to study the influences of strategic planning on the administrative decisions of middle managers at small independent colleges. The problem was examined and analyzed using a conceptual model which considers institutional history, culture, and leadership. A descriptive research technique, the case study, was used. The design of this study included the relationships between effective strategic planning and the role of middle managers in this institutional planning process. Bentley College was selected as the case study site because it recently introduced an institutional strategic planning process and because it is regarded as a well managed institution. Data sources included institutional archival records, contemporary institutional correspondence and documents, and key-informant interviews. The influence of strategic planning on the managerial behavior of middle managers at this particular institution affected their roles, decision making, and unit planning. Patterns did emerge and the findings are summarized below. 1. Middle managers were involved in all aspects of strategic planning, except the determination of future direction. 2. Strategic planning facilitated increased involvement of middle managers in the institutional decision making process. 3. The strategic planning process facilitated an increased understanding among middle managers of each others unit priorities and goals. 4. Strategic planning facilitated increased unit planning. The findings of this study pertain to one particular independent small college. Although the results of this study do not have significant predictive value, they do provide a better understanding of the middle managers role in strategic planning.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-9019 |
| Date | 01 January 1994 |
| Creators | Hall, Gregory James |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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