Strategy crafting in a selected group of Turkish universities

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of intensifying competition in higher education on the market and non-market strategies of universities and the governance structure through which these strategies are crafted. Competition creates pressures towards both diversity and homogeneity although their relative strength is contested in past studies. This study contributes to the literature by analysing the issue in a state-dependent higher education system and taking into consideration the role of the state as a strong regulator in the field. The sample involves four universities in Turkey with different ownership structures (public/private) and dominant orientations (research/teaching). Archival sources and semi-structured interviews are used to collect data. Findings show that homogeneity pervades the market and nonmarket strategies with diversity appearing on a smaller scale while governance structures are more likely to display differences. Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.