Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T05:25:37.423Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Fashionable Adoption of Online Learning Technologies in Australian Universities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2016

Jonathan Pratt
Jonathan Pratt*
Affiliation:
School of Management, University of Technology, Haymarket Campus, P.O. Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia, Phone: +61 2 9514 3635, Email: Jonathan.Pratt@uts.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

During the 1990s, many Australian universities adopted innovative new online learning technologies without critical examination of their merit to those institutions, leading in some cases to wasted resources, unfulfilled expectations, program and organisational failure. Given that limited theoretical and empirical explanations have addressed this important research problem, this paper discusses and applies a management fashion framework to this research problem and argues that online learning technologies could be conceptualised as a management fashion, following the empirical work of Abrahamson and Fairchild (1999). The major contributions of this paper are to identify an important yet under-researched area in higher education research, demonstrate the utility of a management fashion framework in this context, and propose a number of recommendations for policy makers, university managers and academics confronted with educational innovations.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 57 - 73
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2005 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Abrahamson, E. 1991. Managerial fads and fashions: the diffusion and rejection of innovations. Academy of Management Review, 16 (3): 586–612.Google Scholar
Abrahamson, E. 1996. Management fashion. Academy of Management Review, 21 (1) 254–285.Google Scholar
Abrahamson, E. 1996. Technical and aesthetic fashion. In Czarniawska, B., & Sevon, G., (Eds.), Translating organisational change: 117–137. Berlin: de Gruyter.Google Scholar
Abrahamson, E. & Fairchild, G. 1999. Management fashion: Lifecycies, triggers, and collective learning processes. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44: 708–740.Google Scholar
Abrahamson, E. & Rosenkopf, L. 1990. When do bandwagon diffusions roll? How far do they go? And when do they roll backwards? A computer simulation. Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings, 155–159.Google Scholar
Alexander, S. 1995. Teaching and learning on the world wide web. AusWeb95, 04 30-May 2, 1995 Ballina: NSW.Google Scholar
Alexander, S. & Mckenzie, J. 1998. An evaluation of information technology projects for university learning. Canberra: Committee for University Teaching and Staff Development and the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs.Google Scholar
Allen, E. & Seaman, J. 2004. Entering the mainstream: The quality and extent of online education in the united states, 2003 and 2004. Needham, MA: The Sloan Consortium.Google Scholar
Back, K., Davis, D. & Olsen, A. 1996. Internationalisation and higher education: Goals and strategies. Canberra: Higher Education Division, Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs.Google Scholar
Baldwin, R 1991. Higher education: Quality and diversity in the 1990's. Policy Statement. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.Google Scholar
Barley, S. R. & Kunda, G. 1992. Design and devotion: Surges of rational and normative ideologies of control in managerial discourse. Administrative Science Quarterly, 37: 363–399.Google Scholar
Barley, S. R.. Meyer, G. W. & Gash, D. C. 1988. Cultures or culture: Academics, practitioners and the pragmatics of normative control. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24–60.Google Scholar
Barley, S. R. & Tolbert, P. S. 1997 Institutionalization and structuration: Studying the links between action and the institution. Organisation Studies, 18 (1): 93–117.Google Scholar
Baron, J., Thiele, D. & Hintz, E. 1995. Following the yellow brick road: Implementation and evaluation of flexible learning systems at the Tea Tree Gully Campus of Torrens Valley Institute of TAPE. Leabrook: National Centre for Vocational Educational Research Ltd. Google Scholar
Barraket, J., Payne, A. M., Scott, G. & Cameron, L. 2000. Equity and the use of communications and information technology in higher education: A UTS case study. Evaluations and Investigations Programme. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Bates, A. W. 1995. Technology, open learning and distance education. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Bates, A.W. 2000. Managing technological change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.Google Scholar
Beckert, J. 1999. Agency, entrepreneurs, and institutional change. The role of strategic choice and institutionalized practices in organisations. Organisation Studies, 20 (5): 777–799.Google Scholar
Bell, M., Bush, D., Nicholson, P., O'Brien, D. & Tran, T. 2002. Universities online: A survey of online education and services in Australia. Occasional Paper Series. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training, Higher Education Group.Google Scholar
Benders, J. & Van Keen, K. 2001. What's in a fashion? Interpretative viability and management fashions. Organisation, 8 (1): 33–53.Google Scholar
Berg, G. A. 2002. Why distance learning? Higher education administrative practices. Westport: Praeger Publishers.Google Scholar
Birnbaum, R. 2000. Management fads in higher education: Where they come from, what they do, why they fail. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
Brabazon, T. 2002. Digital hemlock: Internet education and the poisoning of teaching. Sydney: UNSW Press.Google Scholar
Caladine, R. 1993. Overseas experience in non-traditional modes of delivery in higher education using state-of-the-art technologies: A literature review. Occasional Paper Series. Canberra: Department of Employment, Education and Training, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Cassidy, J. 2002. Dot.con: The greatest story ever sold. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.Google Scholar
Centre for Studies in Higher Education 2001. University teaching as e-business: Research and policy agendas higher education in the digital age. Berkeley, http://ishi.lib.berkeley.edu.edu./cshe/projects/university/ebusiness/u21.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2002.Google Scholar
Chipman, L. 2001. Concept of a university in the 21st century online learning in a borderless market. 02 15-16 Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus pp 7–14.Google Scholar
Chipman, L. 2001. Paying for a future by degrees. The Australian, 10 24: 17.Google Scholar
Clegg, S. R. 1989. Frameworks of power. London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Clegg, S. R. 1990. Modern organisations: Organisation studies in the postmodern world. London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Cochrane, T., Ellis, H. D. & Johnston, S. L. 1993. Computer based education in Australian higher education evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Employment, Education and Training, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Cuneo, C., Campbell, B., Bastedo, L. & Foye, C. 2000. The underbelly of online learning in Canadian post-secondary education campus computing international. Ontario Canada: Hamilton.Google Scholar
Cunningham, S., Ryan, Y., Stedman, L., Tapsall, S., Bagdon, K., Flew, T. & Coaldrake, P. 2000. The business of borderless education evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Cunningham, S., Tapsall, S., Ryan, Y., Stedman, L., Bagdon, K. & Flew, T. 1998. New media and borderless education: a review of the convergence between global media networks and higher education provision evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Cuttler, T. 2001. Future directions - a corporate view online learning in a borderless market. 02 15-16 Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus pp 15–20.Google Scholar
Dimaggio, P. J. 1988. Interest and Agency in Instituitonal Theory in Zucker, L. G. (Ed.) Institutional patterns and organisations: Culture and environment. Cambridge, MA: Baliinger Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Dimaggio, P. J. & Powell, W. W. 1983. The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organisational fields. American Sociological Review, 48 (2): 147–160.Google Scholar
Greenwood, R., Sudday, R. & Hinings, C. R. 2002. Theorizing change: The role of professional associations in the transformation of institutionalized fields. Academy of Management Journal, 45 (1) 58–80.Google Scholar
Hafner, K. 2002. Lessons learned at dot-com U'nytimes.com . http://www.nytimes.com2002/05/02/technotogy/circuits/02DIST.html?ex=1021310020&ei=1&en=bcb160867f6404b2. Accessed May 2, 2002.Google Scholar
Hamer, G. A. 1993. The use of technology to deliver higher education in the workplace. Occasional Paper Series. Canberra: Department of Education. Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Hasselbladh, H. & Kallinikos, J. 2000. The project of rationalization: A critique and reappraisal of neo-institutionalism in organisation studies. Organisation Studies, 21 (4): 697–720.Google Scholar
Hesketh, B., Gosper, M., Andrews, J. & Sabaz, M. 1996. Computer-mediated communication in university teaching evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Humes, W. 2000. The discourses of educational management. Journal of Educational Enquiry, 1 (1): 35–53.Google Scholar
Jackson, B. 1996. Reengineering the sense of self: The manager and the management guru. Journal of Management Studies, 33: 571–590.Google Scholar
James, R. & Beattie, K., 1995. Expanding options: Delivery technologies and postgraduate coursework. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Jevons, F. & Northcott, P. 1994. Costs and quality in resource-based learning on- and off-campus. Canberra: National Board of Employment, Education and Training.Google Scholar
Johnson, R., Lundin, R. & Chippendale, P. 1992. Changing patterns of teaching and learning: The use and potential of distance education materials and methods. Australian Higher Education National Board of Employment, Education and Training: Commissioned Report No. 19, Canberra.Google Scholar
Katz, R. N. 1999. Dancing with the devil: Information technology and the new competition in higher education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
Kieser, A. 1997. Rhetoric and myth in management fashion. Organisation, 4(1): 49–74.Google Scholar
Kitchener, M. 2002. Mobilizing the logic of managerialsim in professional fields: The case of academic health centre mergers. Organisation Studies, 23 (3): 391–420.Google Scholar
Koutsoukis, J. 2002. Minister rejects ‘Unis in crisis’ allegation. Australian Financial Review Weekend, 04 6-7, 2002: 3.Google Scholar
Lamertz, K. & Baum, J. A. C. 1988. The legitimacy of organisational downsizing: An analysis of exploratory media accounts. Canadian Journal of Administrative Science, 03: 93–107.Google Scholar
Laurillard, D. 1993. Rethinking university teaching: A framework for the effective use of educational technology, New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Ling, P., Arger, G., Smallwood, H., Toomey, R. & Kirkpatrick, D. 2001. The effectiveness of models of flexible provision of higher education evaluations and investigations programme. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Lundin, R. 1993. Overseas experience in non-traditional modes of delivery in higher education using state-of-the-art technologies. Occasional Paper Series, Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Madden, J. 2002. Alliance opens new worlds of e-learning. The Australian, Online edition, 06 12, 2002.Google Scholar
March, J. G. & Olsen, J. P. 1976. Ambiguity and choice in organisations. Bergen: Universitetsforglaget.Google Scholar
Marginson, S. 1997. Markets in education. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Marginson, S. & Considine, M. 2001. The enterprise university: Power, governance and reinvention in Australia. London: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Maslen, G. 2000. 9 universities collaborate on online instruction in Asia. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 06 16, 2000.Google Scholar
Mason, R. 1998. Globalising education: Trends and applications. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Mazza, C. & Alvarez, J. L. 2000. Haute couture and Pret-a-Porter: The popular press and the diffusion of management practices. Organisation Studies, 21 (4): 567–588.Google Scholar
McCann, D., Christmass, J., Nicholson, P. & Stuparich, J. 1998. Education technology in higher education. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
McKey, P. 1997. The development of the online educational institute southern cross university . http://www.bigtree.com.au/redbean/masters/thesis.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2002.Google Scholar
McKey, P. 1999. The total student experience next ed. http://www.nexted.com/news/papers/TSE_McKey.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2002.Google Scholar
McKey, P. 2000. Preparing information systems for global web-based education next ed. http://www.nexted.com/news/papers/info_sys.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2002.Google Scholar
McNaught, C., Phillips, R., Rossiter, D. & Winn, J. 2000. Developing a framework for a usable and useful inventory of computer-facilitated learning and support materials in Australian universities evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Meyer, J. 1998. Organisational learning. Annual Review of Sociology, 14: 319–340.Google Scholar
Meyer, J. W. & Rowan, B. 1977. Institutionalized organisations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83 (2) 340–363.Google Scholar
Nelson, B. 2002. Higher education at the crossroads: an overview paper. Canberra: Department of Education, Science and Training.Google Scholar
Nelson, B. 2002. Striving for quality: learning, teaching and scholarship. Canberra: Department of Education, Science and Training.Google Scholar
Newell, S., Robertson, M. & Swan, J. 2001. Management fads and fashions. Organisation, 8(1): 5–15.Google Scholar
Newell, S., Swan, J. & Kautz, K. 2001. The role of funding bodies in the creation and diffusion of management fads and fashions. Organisation, 8(1)97–120.Google Scholar
Noble, D. F. 1997. Digital diploma mills: The automation of higher education first Monday . http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue3_1/noble/index.html. Accessed Sep. 9, 2002.Google Scholar
Phipps, R. & Merisotis, J. 1999. What's the difference? A review of the contemporary research on the effectiveness of distance learning in higher education. Washington DC: American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.Google Scholar
Preston, D. S. 2001. Managerialism and the post-enlightenment crisis of the British university. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 33 (3/4): 343–363.Google Scholar
Schiffrin, D., Tannen, D. & Hamilton, H. (Eds.) 2001. The Handbook of discourse analysis. Malden, MA; Blackwell Publishers.Google Scholar
Scott, G. & Alexander, S. 2000. Online Learning: Rhetoric or reality? Online Opinion . http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/feb00/scott.htm. Accessed June 14, 2002.Google Scholar
Senate Employment Education and Training References Committee 1994. Inquiry into the development of open learning in Australia: Part 1. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.Google Scholar
Senate Employment Workplace Relations Small Business and Education References Committee 2001. Universities in crisis: Report into the capacity of public universities to meet Australia's higher education needs. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.Google Scholar
Slaughter, S. & Leslie, L. 1997. Academic capitalism: Politics, policies and the entrepreneurial university. London: The John Hopkins University Press.Google Scholar
Slavin, R. E. 1989. PET and the pendulum: Faddism in education and how to stop it. Phi Delta Kappan, 20 (10): 752–758.Google Scholar
Staw, B. M. & Epstein, L. D. 2000. What bandwagons bring: Effects of popular management techniques on corporate performance, reputation, and CEO pay. Administrative Science Quarterly, 45: 523–556.Google Scholar
Strang, D. & Meyer, J. W. 1993. Institutional conditions for diffusion. Theory and Society, 22: 487–511.Google Scholar
Tapsall, S. & Ryan, Y. 1999. Virtual education institutions in Australia: Between the idea and the reality in Farrell, G. (Ed.), The Development of Virtual Education: A Global Perspective. London: Department for International Development.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. 1992. Distance education and technology in Australia: A conceptual framework. International Council for Distance Education Bulletin, 28: 29.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. 2001. Fifth generation distance education. Higher Education Series, Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. C., Kemp, J. E. & Burgess, J. V. 1993. Mixed-mode approaches to industry training: Staff attitudes and cost effectiveness evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. C. & White, V. J. 1991. The evaluation of the cost effectiveness of multi-media mixed-mode teaching and learning evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Employment, Education and Training.Google Scholar
Taylor, P. G., Lopez, L. & Quadrelli, C. 1996. Flexibility, technology and academic's practices: Tantalising tales and muddy maps evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education 2004. Update on the future of the UK eUniversity - finished as an independent organisation, but did it have to be this way? The observatory on borderless higher education . http://www.obhe.ac.uk/news/April2004.htrnl. Accessed May 20, 2004.Google Scholar
Tinkler, D.. Lepani, B. & Mitchell, J. 1996. Education and technology convergence: A survey of technological infrastructure in education and the professional development and support of educators and trainers in information and communications technology. Commissioned Report No. 43, Canberra: National Board of Employment Education and Training.Google Scholar
Tinkler, D., Smith, T., Ellyard, P. & Cohen, D. 1994. Effectiveness and potential of state-of-the-art technologies in the delivery of higher education. Occasional Paper Series, Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Tolbert, P. S. & Zucker, L. G. 1983. Institutional sources of change in the formal structure of organizatons: The diffusion of civil service reform, 1880-1935. Administrative Science Quarterly, 28: 22–39.Google Scholar
West, R., Banks, G., Baume, P., Chipman, L., Clark, D., Doherty, C. & Dow, K. L. 1998. Learning for life: Review of higher education financing and policy. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.Google Scholar
Yetton, P., Forster, A., Hewson, L., Hughes, C., Johnston, K., Nightingale, P., Page-Hanify, C., Vitale, M. & Wills, S. 1997. Managing the introduction of technology in the delivery of administration of higher education evaluations and investigations program. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.Google Scholar
Young, J. R. 2001. Universitas 21 moves forward with plans for online university. The Chronicle of Higher Education, Online edition: 6 September, 2001.Google Scholar
Zucker, L. G. 1977/1991. The role of institutionalization in cultural persistence. In Powell, W. W. & Dimaggio, P. J. (Eds.), The new institutionalism in organisational analysis: 83–107. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar