University management: rector’s position (conceptual notes)

The key actor in any university management system is the rector; his/her priorities and goals to a large extent determine the prospects of the university. This conceptual article deals with the following issues: what a position in activity is; what a rector’s position is, why it should be the subject of the analysis; what rector’s positions can be; how a rector’s position can be formed.The authors put forward the concept of «rector’s position», based on philosophical ideas about the position as a form of human subjectivity. As a basis for a typological analysis of rectors’ positions, a scheme «Position space» is proposed, wherein three poles are distinguished: «Norm», «Business», «Idea». The «ultimate» rectors’ positions corresponding to these poles are analyzed including the features of the ontological framework, priorities and goals, «operation spaces» and management tools used. It is shown that the designated space contains a whole range of rectors’ positions, as implemented through different management styles. The following rector’s positions are characterized: «Functionary», «Leader», «Investor», «Manager», «Entrepreneur». The formation of the rector’s position as an important part of his professional development is discussed.The proposed typology of positions is based on the experience of the authors as participants in developing programs and flagship projects of universities, on the experience of professional communication with more than 30 rectors of Russian universities.The article is original and new, as it puts forward the concepts of «a rector’s position» and «rector’s positions space». These concepts and the typology of the distinguished positions can be used as a tool for analyzing the rectors’ activity positions, for comprehending the imperatives and limitations inherent in these positions. The position scheme and the «operation space» scheme can serve as guidelines for analysing and assessing the completeness (or partiality) of the university leader’s position. These schemes can be also used in management consulting and as an element of educational programs for university rectors and management teams.