Faculty Composition in Four-Year Institutions: The Role of Pressures, Values, and Organizational Processes in Academic Decision-Making

Abstract

This study broadens our understanding of conditions that shape faculty composition in higher education. We surveyed academic deans to evaluate their views on the professoriate, values, pressures, and practices pertaining to the use of non-tenure-track faculty (NTTF). We utilized OLS regression to test a model for decision-making related to faculty composition and the use of NTTF, which includes external pressures, values, and strategic organizational processes. Our findings reveal that higher education institutions are employing more NTTF than deans feel is best for meeting institutional needs. Pressures from the external environment are the most associated with this phenomenon, with ramifications for academic decision-making.

• non-tenure-track faculty
• academic deans
• faculty composition
• decision-making
• external pressures
• strategic organizational processes
• values

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adrianna Kezar

Adrianna Kezar is a Professor of Higher Education in the Rossier School of Education and Co-Director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California; [email protected].

Sean Gehrke

Sean Gehrke is the director of Institutional Planning, Research, and Assessment at Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston, ID).