Date of Submission

6-27-2019

Document Type

DiP

Degree

Doctor of Education

Department

Education

Keywords

Business Development, University Sustainability, High Reliability, Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Universities and Faculties in Ontario are faced with wicked issues that are limiting the financial sustainability of the organizations. Wicked issues refer to problems that are not technical in nature, are not easily fixed, offer no single solution, and because of organizational interdependencies often create other problems when unraveled. Such issues introduced in this Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) are: decreasing governmental funding, increased competition for students, the emergence of the non-traditional student and geopolitical pressure. The leadership approach to help address these issues is a combination of Boundary Spanning, Adaptive Leadership and Mindfulness. It is the grouping of these three leadership theories that can help this Faculty be more connected and responsive to external forces impacting it. These approaches introduce an optimistic view that organizational improvement is possible, while recognizing that change is often challenging for organizational members. This OIP is concerned with the advancement of business development acumen grounded in High Reliability Principles. It explores innovations such as data informed decision making, contemporary student engagement practices, and technological infrastructure that can help the Faculty remain financially sustainable as well as a place of higher learning. If executed correctly, this approach can contribute significantly to the Faculty’s financial resilience and sustainability.

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