Changes in the Establishment and Operation of Center Organizations at a Regional National University: A Case Study of University A

Abstract

 This case study of a recent Japanese university, specifically, a regional national A university, aims to identify how individual university organizations responded to dramatic changes in the external environment. The analysis will focus on two perspectives: “new work” related to educational reform and the reorganization of the center organizations responsible for educational reform work. Based on the literature and interviews with those involved, we will clarify why reorganization of the center organizations was necessary and the process by which they were reorganized. We will confirm: 1) how each organization was established and who its members were, and 2) the kind of tasks performed by the members, the positions they held, and the organizational structure that was used to manage them (work content, members in charge, and organizational structure for promotion). Furthermore, we will organize and discuss the challenges that the parties involved at that time felt when performing their duties in university-wide educational reform-related organizations. Finally, we will summarize the findings and discuss future issues.