On the side of the angels? open college networks as a case of cooperation within a competitive environment

Abstract

This article argues that Open College Networks are essentially predicated on the encouragement of sharing, cooperative behaviour among their institutional members. This is seen to stand in stark contrast to the competitive environment in which such institutions must operate. Having demonstrated the success of the Open College movement, the article uses a detailed case study to explore the following issues. The first issue to be addressed is whether the cooperative ethos of an Open College Network has been threatened or modified by recent changes in the environment of post-compulsory education. Secondly, the article questions how it is that sharing and cooperation can be reconciled with such a hostile external environment. The article concludes that the major threat to the ongoing health of the sharing culture of Open College Networks may, paradoxically, derive from their success, and strategies designed to maintain it.