Publication Date: 18 July 2008
Related Services: JISC infoNet
A new survey carried out by JISCInfonet reveals that the most pressing strategic issues facing both further and education institutions are related to ‘organisational infrastructure’. The online survey received 86 responses from 75 institutions with the responses showing that ‘organisational infrastructure’ eclipsed financial concerns and the stresses of operating within an increasingly competitive market-driven sector.
Where time was not necessarily effectively used within institutions participants stated this was in areas ‘relating to the quality and efficiency of processes, communication and collaboration, IT infrastructure, information quality and access, and poor decision-making processes’.
When asked the reasons for this, respondents said ‘external factors beyond their control’ as the principal factor.
Steve Bailey, senior advisor at JISC Infonet said, "These results make for fascinating reading and seem to indicate that for all the challenges institutions face as a result of constantly shifting external forces, the majority of the issues of greatest concern to managers and staff, actually stem from practical, procedural and infrastructural matters within the institution itself.
"The challenge for those charged with determining their organisation’s strategic direction is to find ways of ensuring that their high level strategies actually make a real and positive difference where most required."
Find out more information:
JISC Infonet
the survey