Exploring the challenges and opportunities for higher education institutions: Work domain analysis and development of strategic options

This paper provides an exploration of the challenges faced by higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United Kingdom in the context of reductions in the level of public funding along with increased competition both on a national and international level. This competitive landscape has been reviewed through analysis of supporting data and information in order to identify the underlying trends impacting HEIs as well as the emerging opportunities especially in the context of research, technology development and industrial engagement. An extensive literature review has been carried out and was used as the basis for work domain analysis involving a structured process methodology to capture the domain specific drivers that contribute to academic strategy development especially relating to science and engineering areas. Subsequently, strategic options for operating in this landscape have been synthesized according to the research, education and knowledge exchange capabilities of HEIs. This strategy development includes discussion of a number of practitioner-oriented strategic options that may be adopted by HEIs to support the establishment of leading organizational capabilities, contribute to financial sustainability and deliver value for key stakeholders.