Governing higher education institutions in Singapore: an agency framework

  • Choon-Yin Sam PSB Academy

Abstract


It is widely known that governments are changing their relationships with public sector organizations with the aim of improving public sector efficiency and effectiveness. The conceptual understanding of government control and governance approaches in state-owned higher education institutions (HEIs) is, however, less well understood. Undoubtedly, question of the extent of autonomy and control of higher education institutions is of significant interest to administrators and policy-makers. This paper reviews the reforms undertaken by the Singapore government in HEIs especially the university sector. The agency framework is applied to assess the internal and external monitoring mechanisms aimed to protect the interest of the public. The paper finds that there is still much state presence and intervention in HEIs’ activities despite the government’s attempt to develop autonomous universities. Strengthening the corporate governance standard of the HEIs will offer a useful means to increase the willingness of the government to give more control to the HEI administrators.

Author Biography

Choon-Yin Sam, PSB Academy
Choon-Yin Sam is Head of School at PSB Academy in Singapore. His research interests are in the areas of corporate governance, Southeast Asian economies and the underground economy. His research papers have appeared in journals such as the Asian Studies Review, Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Asia Pacific Viewpoint and South East Asia Research. Choon-Yin obtained his PhD from the University of South Australia.

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Published
2016/04/30
Section
Original Scientific Paper