Institutions of higher education during the last two decades have experienced a period of unprecedented growth, restricted financial support, public calls for accountability, and an increase in the complexity of the educational system. In an effort to obtain better management and more control of these institutions, educators have applied to educational institutions the theories of organizational structure, systems approach, simulation models, planning models, and many other techniques and tools used in organizations of business and industry. Inherent in all such theories, approaches, models and techniques, is the need to compile a wealth of appropriate, relevant, and necessary information to assist the management in planning decisions. A method of identifying such information in a given planning situation has not been operationally developed. It was the purpose of this study to develop a planning information model, with categorized variables which generate the information that is required to carry out rational planning process in specific institutions of higher education. / The study was initiated with a review of the related literature in planning and planning tools and techniques. From the literature, sixty-one environmental variables were identified. These variables were extracted because of their potential impact upon planning decisions in institutions of higher education. The variables were subjected to a formative evaluation process using expert judges from nine state universities in the State of Florida. The judges independently rated each variable as to its necessity in making planning decisions. The Delphi Technique was utilized to enhance the intuitive judgments of the experts. Three non-parametric statistical analyses were performed to test the sufficiency of the number of rounds of the Delphi, to measure the effect on planning of differences in the missions of the participating institutions, and to test the significant level of association among the judges. The variables which satisfied an established criteria were selected for inclusion in the planning information model. / The selected variables were grouped into previously defined information categories and placed into matrix form to examine the potential interactive effects that may exist among categories. The matrix was then extended to include an acknowledged planning process model. This third dimension allows the user of the model to examine the information needs and potential interactive effects of each step in the planning process. Finally, the conclusions and implications for further study were formulated. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-03, Section: A, page: 0888. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74153 |
| Contributors | SHARIAT, MOHAMMAD., The Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 205 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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