Autonomy, accountability, and organizational complexity in higher education: the Goettingen model of university reform

Managerialist responses to increasing complexity and a heightened need for accountability are not limited to Anglo‐Australian education systems. In traditionally state‐controlled university systems like Germany, policies designed to increase institutional and organizational autonomy and flexibility have been initiated drawing on ideas from the new managerialism, new public management, and organization theory. This paper considers the reform efforts at one prominent German university, arguing that significant increases in competitiveness and self‐management can be made even in a formally state‐controlled environment.