Portuguese academics' perceptions of higher education institutions' governance and management: a generational perspective

This article aims to analyse academics' perceptions on changes in the governance and management of higher education institutions (HEIs) under a generational perspective. It is empirically based on the analysis of national data resulting from the ‘Changing Academic Profession’ international survey. Findings reveal a general tendency for the three different generations of academics to have similar perceptions on HEIs’ governance and management. The three groups tend to consider that faculty boards and academics hold the control of decisions in areas related to the regulation of academic work and career. However, this is especially evident among the younger generation. Furthermore, the three generational groups acknowledge having low influence in the definition of institutional policies at the top levels. Again this is more evident for the younger generation. Finally, all three generations identify the same features as characterising their institutions’ management model.