the rhetoric and operationalization of internationalization efforts in u.s. research universities:...
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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
**Full paper available by request via email. **