the rhetoric and operationalization of internationalization efforts in u.s. research universities:...

The Rhetoric and The Rhetoric and Operationalization of Operationalization of Internationalization Efforts in U.S. Internationalization Efforts in U.S. Research Universities: Toward a Research Universities: Toward a TaxonomyTaxonomy

Adam TM WyattInstitute of Higher Education

University of Georgia

What is the question? What is the question?

What is the relationship between the rhetoric of university mission statements and the operationalization of internationalization efforts?

Why is this important? Why is this important? Mission statements are supposed

to be guiding documents for the actions of the university

Mission statements lay out areas of key interest to the university such as internationalization

Millions of dollars of resources are put toward internationalization efforts each year

Background Background Research has focused on other

areas ◦ Curriculum◦ Faculty◦ Leadership◦ Governance◦ Study Abroad◦ Students

Research has not focused on how these efforts pertain to the overall university mission

Internationalization v. Internationalization v. GlobalizationGlobalizationUse the term internationalization

because previous literature implies that internationalization indicates a certain selectivity and level of control

Globalization is more economic in nature and are forces that cannot be selectively controlled

Methodology and TheoryMethodology and Theory

Used content analysis to examine 35 U.S. research universities’ mission statements and organizational charts

Used institutional theory with specific emphasis placed on mimetic and isomorphic forces

Weakness in MethodologyWeakness in Methodology

Subunits of universities may have different mission statements than that of the main university—though they should be related

Organizational charts may not show all internationalization efforts in an university

Content analysis is subject to interpretation about what counts as an internationalization effort

FindingsFindingsResearch universities differ

dramatically in the operationalization of their internationalization efforts

Private universities tend to be more decentralized (more resources?)

Public universities tend to be more centralized (less resources?)

Both public and private exhibited some degree of overlap (key areas?)

TaxonomyTaxonomy

Centralized Decentralized

Public Private

Findings, Part IIFindings, Part IIFew of the universities at this

level of analysis exhibited any relationship between mission statement rhetoric and operationalization of internationalization efforts

Generalizations?Generalizations?

We can generalize that public universities will continue to operate more centralized and private universities more decentralized with regard to internationalization efforts, at least at the research university level.

Implications/ ConclusionsImplications/ ConclusionsIsomorphic forces seem to guide

internationalization effortsMimetic forces may exist, but

hard to tell with analysis at this level

No justification that the operationalization of internationalization efforts are key to a university’s mission

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsShould universities pursue large

international efforts if they cannot be logically linked to their mission?

Where does globalization, over internationalization, fit into the picture?

Is the developed taxonomy helpful to further examine other universities?

How can the further development of the taxonomy help improve higher education?

Thank you!Thank you!

Contact Information

Adam TM Wyatt

Institute of Higher Education

004 Meigs Hall

University of Georgia

Athens, GA 30602 USA

atmwyatt@uga.edu

**Full paper available by request via email. **