Research
The SSPG conducts translational research projects on current topics in the fields of public governance and management with a focus on non-profit and higher education management. We are currently working on the following projects:
In view of the increasing demands and expectations of both internal and external stakeholders in the context of various developments and reforms, the challenges facing higher education management have significantly increased. Swiss higher education institutions (HEIs) have generally been given greater management autonomy, which has led to far-reaching changes in the governance and organisation of these expert organisations and increased the need for professional management. On the one hand, this professionalisation has led to the integration of academics into management functions – often without management training or relevant general management experience – and, on the other hand, to the recruitment of external managers who often lack experience in the higher education system and a connection to the academic system of norms and values.
As a result, these leaders face different challenges and conflicting goals when carrying out their management role, depending on their career path. To date, there has been little empirical evidence, particularly in German-speaking countries, as to which competencies are necessary in general management functions – functions with overall institutional responsibility (e.g. university management) or with specific area responsibility (e.g. support functions, deans, heads of department) – at HEIs and how senior HEI leaders’ competency requirements will develop in the future.
Our study therefore examines the general management competencies that are considered important for exercising these leadership positions today and in the future. We also analyse the educational and experience backgrounds of today's senior HEI leaders as well as the strategic challenges that universities will have to face now and in the next 5-10 years. Finally, we investigate how the current senior HEI leaders have prepared themselves to take on their position and in which areas they would have liked better preparation.
Based on the literature and in collaboration with practitioners, we developed the following framework model with 28 general management competencies (GMK) grouped into six dimensions to systematically survey senior HEI leaders’ competencies:
To answer these questions, we conducted an online survey of 488 managers at Swiss HEIs in spring 2024, in which 312 people took part (65% response rate). This standardised survey was extended by qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 24 selected respondents.
The results of the study not only supplement the existing literature on HEI management, but also provide indications for the successful HEI management and for optimisation potential in the preparation of future senior HEIT leaders. We derive various fields of action from the study results, including promoting diversity and inclusion in management bodies, overcoming the challenges of academic self-governance, improving leadership development in the context of the upcoming generational change, examining the feasibility of a national leadership development programme, and strengthening institutional agility to deal with resource conflicts, digitalisation, and sustainability goals.
You can download the German study report including a summary here: «General-Management-Kompetenzen von Führungspersonen an Schweizer Hochschulen»
The English study report will be published at the beginning of 2025. A summary of the study results is already available in Download English (PDF, 1.1 MB).
As part of a networking event, the study results were presented to around 100 managers at Swiss universities and discussed with them in a panel discussion and focus groups. The presentation and video recording of this networking event can be found via this link.
The Governance Assessment Model, developed by the team at SSPG, offers a robust framework for analysing the governance structures within higher education institutions. This conceptual model aims to provide detailed insights into three critical areas: the general management practices, key decision-making processes, and the operational model that governs an institution's daily activities. Furthermore, it enables a comparative analysis of governance across different higher education institutions.
The model is structured around an "onion" configuration, composed of three layers, each representing a distinct facet of governance: at its core lies the "Operating Model," surrounded by the "Management Model," and finally enveloped by the "Framework Conditions" layer, which represents the local, national, and international ecosystem for education, research, and innovation.
During his sabbatical periods at EPF Lausanne and the University of Cambridge, Prof. Robert Perich carried out extensive interviews with leaders from both institutions. By applying the Governance Assessment Model, he documented and examined the governance structures of these academic entities. His research revealed marked differences in governance practices between the two, underscoring the unique requirements and challenges each institution encounters in its governance framework.
This research project delves into the significance and structure of both the public and non-profit sectors within Switzerland, leveraging existing data to explore their evolution over the past decade. The study clearly defines the public sector and provides comprehensive data on its scope and impact. However, the non-profit sector presents initial challenges in terms of identification and differentiation from other sectors. A key focus of this investigation is to ascertain the economic activities that hold particular importance within these sectors, as well as those that have experienced shifts in relevance in recent years.
The Swiss School of Public Governance (SSPG) at ETH Zurich is evaluating the relevance of the ‘Dipl. Betriebswirtschafter:in Höhere Fachschule’ programme on behalf of the governing body of the curriculum for business administration schools (RLP HFW). This programme targets professionals in the commercial sector who want to become generalists, capable of handling both specialist and management responsibilities. The programme usually takes three years, is available at about 20 locations across Switzerland, and is generally offered on a part-time basis. HFW students differ in their educational backgrounds, current professional roles, and areas of responsibility.
The evaluation aims to determine how well the RLP HFW meets labour market needs and which competencies ‘dipl. Betriebswirtschafter:innen HF’ require. It examines how relevant the competencies to be learnt still are and identifies possible competency gaps. In particular, the evaluation focuses on how development in digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) may shape the required competencies. These developments not only demand new technical capabilities, but also involve changed management needs.
The evaluation includes an online survey of final-year HFW students. Three groups of students will be surveyed in the spring of 2025, 2026, and 2027 during a class at their respective HFWs. The content of the survey builds on previous evaluations (Bolli et al., 2015–2020) to track changes since 2015 and adds a new emphasis on digital and AI-related competencies. The results will form the empirical basis for an evidence-based update of the RLP HFW and for the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)’ review of the programme’s recognition.