The implementation of public policy : university amalgamations in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s

Abstract

This thesis considers the adequacy of existing theories of implementation of tertiary education policy, in relation to university amalgamations in the 1980s and 1990s in Australia. In particular the thesis examines the difficulties of mergers attempted in the case of Monash University (a successful amalgamation),the University of New England (a partially successful amalgamation),and the Australian National University (an amalgamation which never took place). The thesis argues that the best available model of policy implementation in the tertiary education sector is that set out by Cerych and Sabatier (1986),and that even this is less than adequate through its omission of several relevant factors, notably the factor of leadership. The thesis accordingly presents a modification of the Cerych and Sabatier (1986) model as well as suggestions for inclusion of factors omitted in the broader implementation literature.

Date of Award	2006
Original language	English
Supervisor	Jennifer Stewart (Supervisor) & John HALLIGAN (Supervisor)