Change processes in the university: a diagnosis of institutional culture and social dynamics

The research aims to explore relationships and dynamics affected by the change and innovation processes in higher education institutions, in order to contribute to the comprehension of innovation in the university at a time when important changes are taking place within higher education in Europe. Six innovations from three universities in Catalonia (Spain) were studied using were focus interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The main results are the following: in relation to the degree of change, innovations differ in the type of leadership required, and in the values and resistances associated with them. The type of leadership, strategies, impact and financing involved vary according to the scope of the innovation. Innovations show different origins according to their nature, being mainly curricular or organizational.