The Enterprise University

Throughout the industrialised world universities have undergone remarkable changes since the mid-1980s. In Australia interest in reform has been intense and publication of The Enterprise University is very timely. It is the first systematic study of the Australian system since the momentous Dawkins reforms ten years ago. The book is grounded in case studies of most of the major Australian universities: the authors interviewed a large number of senior managers. They also have taken account of global trends and have prepared the book in the light of recent international research on the university as an institution. The authors contend that the modern university can be understood as an 'enterprise university', characterised by corporate-style executive leadership. In a hard-hitting conclusion they propose novel policies and new directions for Australia's higher education system.