The core mission and activities of UK Universities have evolved (in some areas quite radically) in recent years and institutions have had to contend with the internationalisation of student demand, research and reputation; the increasing commercialisation of knowledge and the incorporation of commercial activity into the university mission; the impact of new technologies on teaching, research, university management and student life; concern about efficiency and the cost of running institutions linked to competition from private providers and an increasing focus on what universities offer the wider community and nation led by the government.
Changes in who universities are now accountable to, the activities they carry out and who their core 'audience' is have begun to drive a new 'economics' in higher education. Increasing complexity is now evident in relation to where and how institutions' income is received; how costs are managed and recorded; the relationship between fee-paying students, the government and institutions and the skills and capabilities needed to lead and managed universities.
Forthcoming Knowledge resources will cover 'Leading the Creative Workplace' and 'New Business Models'