Diversity and Differentiation in Higher Education Systems
Key-note speech at the conference ‘Higher Education in the 21st Century – Diversity of Missions’
Summary
This paper first of all discusses the concepts of diversity and differentiation in higher education systems. It explores the literature regarding these concepts, both the “classical studies” in the social sciences and the more recent perspectives in particularly organization theory. In addition, it provides an overview of the studies on differentiation and diversity in the higher education literature and makes an inventory of the many arguments in favor of diversity in this field.
Secondly, a theoretical framework for explaining differentiation and diversity in higher education systems will be developed. Founded in the existing literature, a number of theoretical assumptions and propositions are formulated that intend to explain the dynamics regarding diversity in higher education systems. In addition the available empirical studies regarding this subject are discussed in the context of the theoretical framework.
Finally, the recent higher education policies with respect to innovation and the “knowledge society” are analyzed in their consequences for diversity and differentiation in higher education systems. Issues that are addressed are: market coordination, competition, “reputation race” and rankings and typologies in higher education.
