An insight to the core of the University’s decision-making: the interests and the actors involved in the University’s decentralization policy between 2007 and 2014

Abstract

This article analyzes the sociopolitical processes connected to the University of the Republic decentralization policy, in the context of a reform process towards a development university (2007-2014). The analysis is focused on the highest collegiate governing body and its actors, from a neo-institutional approach. Thus, the complex decision-making process and heterogeneous interests and visions are visualized, which shows an “adapted negotiation”, composed of interwoven interest adjustments between the institution and the State, and between different university actors. It aims at disentangling the complex interplay between the structural conditions and the different strategies and resources displayed by the different actors in the context of a University reform process.

Keywords
university; development university; higher education policies; actors roles