Organizations and Markets

Do Top Scholars Make the Best University Leaders?

8 January 2010 at 3:11 pm Peter G. Klein 2 comments

| Peter Klein |

Yes, says Amanda Goodall here and here. Here’s a summary and here’s some commentary. Her argument is based on inside knowledge, the ability to set appropriate standards, signaling, and legitimacy. Signaling strikes me as the most plausible (non-academic administrators may not have knowledge or legitimacy but they can hire subordinates who do). I haven’t studied the work carefully, however. Kudos to Goodall for tackling an important subject.

Her Vox article singles out economist-administrators for special mention. They seem to be doing quite well, Larry Summers notwithstanding.

Entry filed under: - Klein -, Education, Institutions, Management Theory, Theory of the Firm.