SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MODELS FOR THE LATIN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The present study examines the relevance of university mission statements and how they have been interacting with the social demands throughout the history of higher education. METHOD. We explore the hypothesis that the recent development of a knowledge economy has strongly impacted universities that look for ways to produce and commercialize ideas. The increase in accreditation agencies and regional and international rankings have helped to reinforce these processes. This trend has created a situation where universities in Latin America that are more oriented towards teaching may be perceived as of lower quality and prestige. RESULTS. We find that many isomorphic mechanisms are pressing universities to align themselves with models that do not always correspond to their reality. In addition, this study highlights the excessive emphasis on faculty research productivity in detriment of ethical and values training that is key to have a successful professional development and an effective and well-adjusted implementation of any project. DISCUSSION. It is proposed that both public and private universities would do well to introduce an awareness of values among its students in important social dimensions such as ecology, community service and in general in the use of available resources so as not to negatively impact nature and society.