Global isomorphism and governance reform in Chinese higher education 31th Annual EAIR Form, Vilnius 23 August 2009 Yuzhuo Cai Assistant Professor, PhD. Higher Education Group University of Tampere, Finland

Global reform tendencies 1980s-1990s, ideology driven: marketisation, privatisation, and decentralisation. late 1990s--, pragmatic: coordination, accountability, re-regulation and performance management.

The Chinese context Chinese reforms reflect the first wave of global/Western governance shifts: state control—state supervision. Chinese higher education reforms are largely influenced by global reform ideologies, and the external influences are through the government (Yang, 2009). There is a lack of understanding on the mechanisms that facilitate the spread of global reform ideologies through national government.

Research question How is the Chinese government susceptible to global isomorphic pressures in its policy-making processes with respect to transforming governance models in higher education?

Analytical framework Isomorphism A constraining process that organisations become increasingly alike to others that face the same set of environmental conditions (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983). Environment: World, global reform ideologies Organisation: the Chinese government

Analytical framework Coercive: stems from political influence and the need for legitimacy. Mimetic: occurs when actors face uncertainty and try to emulate successful organisations as a solution. Normative: arises primarily from professionalisation.

Governance reforms in Chinese higher education , preparation stage , experiment stage 1993-, massive implementation stage

Major patterns Privatisation in educational provision 640 private HEIs, 20% of total Hed enrolment Diversification of funding resources Government funds, tuition fees, university’s commercial income Decentralisation of administration Functional and territorial

Mechanism of international regulation (coercive) UNESCO, 1998 WCHE 1.To give higher education institutions more autonomy in internal management. 2.to diversify the finding sources while keeping the public provision as essential.

Mechanism of mimetic learning (Mimetic) Uncertainty invites processes of imitation. Copying or borrowing experience from advanced countries is a tradition in Chinese HED development. The current reforms reflect a clear American influence.

Mechanism of consultancy involvement (Nomative) World Bank involved in two projects in China as an international consultant the State should move quicker toward adopting a monitoring, regulatory role and abandoning detailed control. 2.universities should be encouraged to develop individual strategic plans showing how they aim to serve their specific province or community The administration and policy responsibilities for higher education should be respectively held at the central government and local governments. 2.Higher education institutions should have material autonomy in student admissions, staff employment, and degree program development.

Conclusion The Chinese government is under the global isomorphic processes. International organisations are important vehicles transferring Western/global models of governance to China.

Challenge by a common perception The Chinese government makes its own decision in formulating national higher education reform policies, while the global ideologies and international organisations only play little role.

Argument from an institutionalist perspective Individuals’ behaviour and choice are directly driven by their interests and preferences, but how they pursue their interests is bounded by institutional rules, especially legitimate institutional settings. The international organisations’ rhetoric and leading countries’ successful experience have already become institutional settings, in which national states are embedded. The development of interests and preferences of the Chinese government, is within such institutional constraints.

To be mentioned… The global reform tendencies have variations. The influences of international organisations have limits. China is careful in receiving global ideologies and suggestions from international organisations.

Thanks! You are welcome with your comments and questions.