Keywords
HEI system reform
agency theor
How to Cite
Abstract
Agency theory is a concept used primarily to describe corporate governance phenomena. This theoretical platform is also used to describe the processes associated with the functioning of the higher education system. Contractual relationships in this sector make it possible to identify institutions that may act as principal or agent, depending on the perspective of the research perspective. Relations between the state / government (principal) and public universities (agents) are the most commonly studied subjects. The aim of the article is to present proposals for the reform of the higher education system in Poland, using agency theory as the research perspective. This was the starting point first to identify the most important dysfunctionalities of the current system as a manifestation of the agency problem. Secondly, the proposed new standards for the functioning of the system were confronted with theoretical mechanisms which are used to reduce conflict of interest: outcome-based contract and behavior-based contract. The considerations presented in the article point to the ability to identify effective institutional structures in the higher education system, the essence of which is to solve the agency problem. The foundation of the recommendations contained in all reform proposals is the desire to increase the institutional autonomy of public universities, in relation to state authorities, but also in relation to internal academic units. It is the strong leadership of the university, motivated by the principle of using personalized tools, primarily financial, with effective control over the processes within the university, is a fundament for achieving the goals of the Polish higher education sector.
Funding
Wydanie tego tomu nie byłoby możliwe bez wsparcia otrzymanego w ramach projektu MNISW Dialog (0022/DLG/2019/10), za co redaktor wyraża podziękowanie.
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