On Higher Education’s Complexities and the Potential of Network Governance. A Case Study

This paper discusses the governance challenges that increasing hybridity poses to higher education institutions (HEIs). It examines the potential of network governance as a public governance approach that allows HEIs to find a good fit to their environment and become accountable to complex stakeholder environments. Central research questions are as follows: (1) Is network governance a suitable model to address organisational complexity and associated competing institutional logics? (2) What characterises the network model for HEIs in such a setting? A Delphi method, semi-structured in-depth interviews and collective meetings with HEI policy makers are combined with a literature review and case studies to distinguish an integrated governance model for teacher trainings with multiple suppliers. Our findings suggest that a network model combines the development of efficient cooperation structures within and between HEIs. As key success factors the study identified a reduction of competitive pressure, financial security, internal and external transparency, organisational autonomy and a clear vision.