The author discusses education as an example of the new services facilitated by the centralized modern state. The author's goal is to help us understand more clearly the benefits and disadvantages of such an extension of political activity. The political impact on educational policy in England is briefly discussed. (Author/RM)

Research shows that neither centralization nor decentralization of decision-making authority in multiunit community colleges is a primary determinant of organizational effectiveness; rather it is the degree of participation in decision-making by staff members at all hierarchical levels. (BB)

The nation is losing sight of the grand goals of education as it drifts toward centralized educational policymaking which concentrates on narrow measures of accountability and projects a view of education as an instrument for future employment. (Author)

Studies that relate computerization to either centralization or decentralization of organizational decision making are reviewed. Four issues are addressed that relate to conceptual or methodological problems. (Author/MLF)

Changes in internal and external systems of governance as a result of a 1984 law promoting some decentralization and a trend toward increased local and regional responsiveness are discussed. The role and significance of new governance bodies are examined. (MSE)

Problems in the impending transfer of British polytechnics away from local control and toward centralization are discussed. Political and practical considerations in the decision to centralize are examined. (MSE)

Investigated relationship between aspects of organizational structure and alienation as experienced by personnel (N=603) employed in nine social services organizations. Interviews with personnel making executive decisions, those making supervisory assessments, and those concerned with client interaction revealed that the best predictions of…

Computerized management information systems have long been used in business, and data integration and sophisticated programing now enable many businesses to decentralize their information operations. This approach has advantages and disadvantages that colleges and universities must weigh and plan for carefully. (MSE)

Minnesota's experience with collective bargaining in public higher education is described from enabling legislation to the first contract. The effects on traditional governance structures, especially selection and evaluation of department chairpersons and deans, are noted. Also considered are the role of the "meet and confer" process,…

This study examined the reading habits of 301 fourth-grade pupils in Israel. The objective was to investigate the relationship between the type of school library and the pupils' reading habits over the long range. The hypothesis was that pupils who have a central library in their school together with classroom collections read more than pupils…

Examines some aspects of the control apparatus of the Ontario school system from both a historical and an operational perspective. (DM)

Conflicting forces in higher institutions inhibit the fulfillment of educational objectives. (Author)

M. Naruse, President of the Institute of Vocational Training, and T. Ishikawa, Chief of the Institute's International Co-operation Division, describe two ways of training instructors in Japan. (Editor)

An examination of the Australian Educational systems as a political institution. The author also outlines the growing participation of the commonwealth government in education, and tests two hypotheses concerning the relationship between centralization and educational policy making. (JF)

Applied a structural-contingency model to the particular adaptive situation created by Affirmative Action requirements. The model was supported among a sample of small manufacturing firms. Concludes that formalization is the predominant structural characteristic associated with Affirmative Action compliance. (Author)