@article{SeyfriedReith2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Reith, Florian}, title = {Mixed methods for research into higher education}, series = {Theory and method in higher education research}, volume = {5}, journal = {Theory and method in higher education research}, publisher = {Emerald Publishing Limited}, address = {Bingley}, isbn = {978-1-83867-841-8}, issn = {2056-3752}, doi = {10.1108/S2056-375220190000005008}, pages = {111 -- 127}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Mixed methods approaches have become increasingly relevant in social sciences research over the last few decades. Nevertheless, we show that these approaches have rarely been explicitly applied in higher education research. This is somewhat surprising because mixed methods and empirical research into higher education seem to be a perfect match for several reasons: (1) the role of the researcher, which is associated with strong intersections between the research subject and the research object; (2) the research process, which relies on concepts and theories that are borrowed from other research fields; and (3) the research object, which exhibits unclear techniques in teaching and learning, making it difficult to grasp causalities between input and results. Mixed methods approaches provide a suitable methodology to research such topics. Beyond this, potential future developments underlining the particular relevance of mixed methods approaches in higher education are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{HustedtSeyfried2020, author = {Hustedt, Thurid and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Challenges, Triggers and Initiatorsof Climate Policies and Implications for Policy Formulation}, series = {Leidenschaft und Augenmaß : sozialwissenschaftliche Perspektiven auf Entwicklung, Verwaltung, Umwelt und Klima : Festschrift f{\"u}r Harald Fuhr}, journal = {Leidenschaft und Augenmaß : sozialwissenschaftliche Perspektiven auf Entwicklung, Verwaltung, Umwelt und Klima : Festschrift f{\"u}r Harald Fuhr}, publisher = {Nomos}, address = {Baden-Baden}, isbn = {978-3-8487-5249-2}, pages = {169 -- 179}, year = {2020}, language = {de} } @article{Seyfried2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Undisclosed desires}, series = {Assessment \& Evaluation in Higher Education}, volume = {44}, journal = {Assessment \& Evaluation in Higher Education}, number = {7}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {0260-2938}, doi = {10.1080/02602938.2019.1573970}, pages = {1106 -- 1119}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Following decades of quality management featuring in higher education settings, questions regarding its implementation, impact and outcomes remain. Indeed, leaving aside anecdotal case studies and value-laden documentaries of best practice, current research still knows very little about the implementation of quality management in teaching and learning within higher education institutions. Referring to data collected from German higher education institutions in which a quality management department or functional equivalent was present, this article theorises and provides evidence for the supposition that the implementation of quality management follows two implicit logics. Specifically, it tends either towards the logic of appropriateness or, contrastingly, towards the logic of consequentialism. This study's results also suggest that quality managers' socialisation is related to these logics and that it influences their views on quality management in teaching and learning.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyfriedAnsmannPohlenz2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Ansmann, Moritz and Pohlenz, Philipp}, title = {Institutional isomorphism, entrepreneurship and effectiveness}, series = {Tertiary Education and Management}, volume = {25}, journal = {Tertiary Education and Management}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1358-3883}, doi = {10.1007/s11233-019-09022-3}, pages = {115 -- 129}, year = {2019}, abstract = {This paper presents empirical evidence on the adoption, implementation and the perceived effectiveness of quality management in teaching and learning in German higher education institutions. Theoretically, the article combines two new institutionalist approaches: institutional isomorphism and institutional entrepreneurship. Empirically, the study refers to qualitative interview data and quantitative survey data. The analysis reveals that isomorphism is a leading driver behind the adoption of quality management in German higher education institutions, whereas institutional entrepreneurship plays an important role in quality management implementation. While isomorphism can be regarded as a conclusive reason behind the absence of a perception of quality management's effectiveness, institutional entrepreneurship may function as a corrective towards the overall negative impact of isomorphic conformity by institutionalizing quality management in a sustainable manner.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyfriedAnsmann2018, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Ansmann, Moritz}, title = {Unfreezing higher education institutions?}, series = {Higher Education}, volume = {75}, journal = {Higher Education}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0018-1560}, doi = {10.1007/s10734-017-0185-2}, pages = {1061 -- 1076}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Quality management (QM) in teaching and learning has strongly "infected" the higher education sector and spread around the world. It has almost everywhere become an integral part of higher education reforms. While existing research on QM mainly focuses on the national level from a macro-perspective, its introduction at the institutional level is only rarely analyzed. The present article addresses this research gap. Coming from the perspective of organization studies, it examines the factors that were crucial for the introduction of QM at higher education institutions in Germany. As the introduction of QM can be considered to be a process of organizational change, the article refers to Kurt Lewin's seminal concept of "unfreezing" organizations as a theoretical starting point. Methodologically, a mixed methods approach is applied by combining qualitative data derived from interviews with institutional quality managers and quantitative data gathered from a nationwide survey. The results show that the introduction of QM is initiated by either internal or external processes. Furthermore, some institutions follow a rather voluntary approach of unfreezing, while others show modes of forced unfreezing. Consequently, the way how QM was introduced has important implications for its implementation.}, language = {en} } @article{HustedtSeyfried2017, author = {Hustedt, Thurid and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Inside the EU Commission}, series = {JCMS - Journal of common market studies}, volume = {56}, journal = {JCMS - Journal of common market studies}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0021-9886}, doi = {10.1111/jcms.12605}, pages = {368 -- 384}, year = {2017}, abstract = {This article studies the perception of the EU Commission's Secretariat General in policy-making. Recently, research on EU institutions devotes increasing attention to analyzing structures and procedures of decision-making in EU institutions, most notably the EU Commission. Conventionally, the EU Commission is portrayed as a fragmented organization, divided along the lines of staff nationality, sectoral responsibilities and cabinets and General Directorates (DGs). The Secretariat General has long been viewed a weak actor that is hardly able or motivated to steer internal decision-making. However, recent research indicates a changing role of the Secretariat General as a pro-active broker and last arbiter. This article studies how the Secretariat General is perceived by the DGs in policy coordination and argues that this perception depends on the pattern of political authority, bureaucratic roles and the relevance and the alternatives prevailing in the policy field. The article is based on data from a survey among Commission officials.}, language = {en} } @misc{Seyfried2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Undisclosed desires}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {109}, issn = {1867-5808}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43304}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-433040}, pages = {15}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Following decades of quality management featuring in higher education settings, questions regarding its implementation, impact and outcomes remain. Indeed, leaving aside anecdotal case studies and value-laden documentaries of best practice, current research still knows very little about the implementation of quality management in teaching and learning within higher education institutions. Referring to data collected from German higher education institutions in which a quality management department or functional equivalent was present, this article theorises and provides evidence for the supposition that the implementation of quality management follows two implicit logics. Specifically, it tends either towards the logic of appropriateness or, contrastingly, towards the logic of consequentialism. This study's results also suggest that quality managers' socialisation is related to these logics and that it influences their views on quality management in teaching and learning.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyfriedReith2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Reith, Florian}, title = {The seven deadly sins of quality management: trade-offs and implications for further research}, series = {Quality in higher education}, volume = {25}, journal = {Quality in higher education}, number = {3}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1353-8322}, doi = {10.1080/13538322.2019.1683943}, pages = {289 -- 303}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Quality management in higher education is generally discussed with reference to commendable outcomes such as success, best practice, improvement or control. This paper, though, focuses on the problems of organising quality management. It follows the narrative of the seven deadly sins, with each 'sin' illustrating an inherent trade-off or paradox in the implementation of internal quality management in teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Identifying the trade-offs behind these sins is essential for a better understanding of quality management as an organisational problem.}, language = {en} } @article{ReithSeyfried2018, author = {Reith, Florian and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Balancing the Moods}, series = {Higher education policy}, volume = {32}, journal = {Higher education policy}, number = {1}, publisher = {Palgrave Macmillan}, address = {Basingstoke}, issn = {0952-8733}, doi = {10.1057/s41307-018-0124-6}, pages = {71 -- 91}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Quality management (QM) has spread around the world and reached higher education in Europe in the early 1990s (Mendel, 2006, 137; Kernegger and Vettori, 2013, 1). However, researchers were rather more interested in national quality assurance policies (macro-level) and accreditation systems (meso-level) than in intra-organizational perspectives about the day-to-day implementation of quality assurance policies by various actors (micro-level). Undoubtedly, organizational change is a challenging endeavor for all kinds of groups. On the one hand, it provides the opportunity of further development and innovation, but on the other hand, it exposes organizations and actors to the risk of losing established structures and accepted routines. Like in many other organizations, actors may not necessarily perceive change as a promoter of innovation and development. Instead, they may consider change as a threat to the existing status quo or, as March points out, as an "interplay between rationality and foolishness" (March, 1981, 563). Consequently, change provokes either affective or behavioral actions (Armenakis and Bedeian, 1999, 308-310), such as, for example, resistance. Anderson (2006, 2008) and Lucas (2014) have shown, for example, that academic resistance is an important issue. However, Piderit characterizes resistance as a multidimensional construct (Piderit, 2000, 786-787) subject to a wide variety of issues related to quality and QM. Although QM has been described as a "fashion" (Stensaker, 2007, 101) in the higher education sector that provokes many different reactions, its implementation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is still a rather unexplored field. Thus, the evidence provided by Anderson (2006, 2008) and others (Newton, 2000, 2002; McInnis et al., 1995; Fredman and Doughney, 2012; Lucas, 2014; etc.) needs to be expanded, because they only consider the perspective of academia. In particular, the view of other actors during the implementation of quality assurance policies is a missing piece in this empirical puzzle. Nearly nothing is known about how quality managers deal with reactions to organizational change like resistance and obstruction. Until now, only a few studies have focused on intra-organizational dynamics (see, for example: Csizmadia et al., 2008; Lipnicka, 2016). Besides the lack of research on the implementation of quality assurance policies in HEIs, quality managers seem to be an interesting subject for further investigations because they are "endogenous" to institutional processes. On the one hand, quality managers are the result of quality assurance policies, and on the other hand, they influence the implementation of quality assurance policies, which affect other actors (like academics, administrative staff, etc.). Here, quality managers, as members of an emerging higher education profession, are involved in various conflict lines between QM, HEI management and departments, which need further research (Seyfried and Pohlenz, 2018, 9). Therefore, the aim of our paper is twofold: firstly, to answer the question of how quality managers perceive resistance, and secondly, which measures they take in situations of perceived resistance. We offer a new research perspective and argue that resistance is not merely provoked by organizational change; it also provokes counter-reactions by actors who are confronted with resistance. Thus, resistance seems to be rather endogenous. To theorize our argument, we apply parts of the work of Christine Oliver (1991), which provides theoretical insights into strategic responses to institutional processes, ranging from acquiescence to manipulation (Oliver, 1991, 152). We, therefore, investigate the introduction of QM in teaching and learning, and the emergence of quality managers as higher education professionals as one of the results of quality assurance policies. Consequently, the introduction of QM may be considered as an institutional process provoking reactions and counter-reactions of various organizational units within HEIs. These circumstances are constitutive for how quality managers deal with resistance and other reactions toward organizational change. We use this theoretical framework to analyze the German higher education sector, because this particular case can be considered as a latecomer in New Public Management reforms (Schimank, 2005, 369) and Germany is a country where academic self-governance plays a very important role, and strongly influences academics' behavior when it comes to organizational change (Wolter, 2004). Our empirical results are based on a mixed-methods research design and integrate half-structured interviews and a nationwide survey at the central level in German HEIs, which excludes faculty members of QM (decentral level). They reveal that quality managers take different types of action when resistance occurs during the implementation of quality assurance policies. Furthermore, quality managers mainly react with different tactics. These tactics seem to be relevant for convincing academics and for the enhancement of their commitment to improve the quality of teaching and learning, instead of provoking further resistance or avoidance practices. This article proceeds as follows: the next sections describe the context and explain our main theoretical concepts referring to the work of Oliver (1991) and others. After that, we present our case selection and the methodological framework, including the data sources and the operationalization of selected variables. Finally, we provide our empirical results about quality managers' perceptions on resistance and we draw conclusions.}, language = {en} } @article{FleischerSeyfried2015, author = {Fleischer, Julia and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Drawing from the bargaining pool: Determinants of ministerial selection in Germany}, series = {Party politics : an international journal for the study of political parties and political organizations}, volume = {21}, journal = {Party politics : an international journal for the study of political parties and political organizations}, number = {4}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {1354-0688}, doi = {10.1177/1354068813487108}, pages = {503 -- 514}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This article expands our current knowledge about ministerial selection in coalition governments and analyses why ministerial candidates succeed in acquiring a cabinet position after general elections. It argues that political parties bargain over potential office-holders during government-formation processes, selecting future cabinet ministers from an emerging bargaining pool'. The article draws upon a new dataset comprising all ministrable candidates discussed by political parties during eight government-formation processes in Germany between 1983 and 2009. The conditional logit regression analysis reveals that temporal dynamics, such as the day she enters the pool, have a significant effect on her success in achieving a cabinet position. Other determinants of ministerial selection discussed in the existing literature, such as party and parliamentary expertise, are less relevant for achieving ministerial office. The article concludes that scholarship on ministerial selection requires a stronger emphasis for its endogenous nature in government-formation as well as the relevance of temporal dynamics in such processes.}, language = {en} } @article{JannSeyfried2009, author = {Jann, Werner and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Does executive governance matter? executives an policy performance}, isbn = {978-3-86793-013-0}, year = {2009}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Seyfried2011, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Unabh{\"a}ngigkeit und Wirksamkeit von Landesrechnungsh{\"o}fen : eine empirisch-vergleichende Bestandsaufnahme}, series = {Interdisziplin{\"a}re Organisations- und Verwaltungsforschung}, volume = {17}, journal = {Interdisziplin{\"a}re Organisations- und Verwaltungsforschung}, publisher = {VS Verlag f{\"u}r Sozialwissenschaften / Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH Wiesbaden}, address = {Wiesbaden}, isbn = {978-3-531-92799-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-531-92799-2}, pages = {288 S.}, year = {2011}, language = {de} } @article{Seyfried2012, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Problems and methods of quality evaluation in different policy fields}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evaluation}, volume = {11}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evaluation}, number = {2}, publisher = {Waxmann}, address = {M{\"u}nster}, issn = {1619-5515}, pages = {209 -- 232}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This article distinguishes methodological problems in quality evaluation and measurement in two policy fields, namely higher education and public broadcasting. Both are characterized by similar external and internal basic conditions and are thus suitable for comparative research. The difficulties of quality measurement and evaluation are discussed with respect to three main features: (1) definition of quality, (2) operationalization of quality and (3) interpretation of quality. Furthermore the identified difficulties in both areas are not always the same, because they depend on different research criteria. Thus the debates of quality measurement and evaluation in higher education and public broadcasting can learn from each other and increase the understanding of quality measurement in general. In addition the comparative design provides opportunities for the development of methods and perspectives.}, language = {de} } @article{Seyfried2019, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Evaluation von Verwaltungsreformen}, series = {Handbuch zur Verwaltungsreform}, journal = {Handbuch zur Verwaltungsreform}, edition = {5., vollst{\"a}ndig {\"u}berarb. Aufl.}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wiesbaden}, isbn = {978-3-658-21562-0}, pages = {729 -- 738}, year = {2019}, language = {de} } @article{Seyfried2016, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Setting a fox to guard the henhouse? Determinants in elections for presidents of supreme audit institutions Evidence from the German federal states (1991-2011)}, series = {Managerial auditing journal}, volume = {31}, journal = {Managerial auditing journal}, publisher = {Emerald Group Publishing Limited}, address = {Bingley}, issn = {0268-6902}, doi = {10.1108/MAJ-03-2015-1168}, pages = {492 -- 511}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence regarding the selection procedures for and characteristics of senior officials in supreme audit institutions (SIAs). Design/methodology/approach - This study follows a quantitative approach using original data collected for presidential elections of SIAs in the 16 federal states in Germany. A fractional logit model is calculated to test different theoretical assumptions in relation to structural, political and individual factors. Findings - The descriptive results confirm the findings of prior research that presidential candidates are elected with very high approval rates. The main determinants are the vote share of the ruling coalition and the executive experience of the presidential candidate. Research limitations/implications - This study focuses on 16 federal states in Germany, but an international comparative perspective covering subnational levels would further augment analysis through the variance of selection procedures and electoral outcomes. Social implications - Independence of auditors is a fundamental issue for the control of the executive, but it seems that there are inevitable trade-offs therein, such as between knowledge of the auditing objects or the politicization of the election process and the independence of the auditor. Originality/value - This study provides novel empirical insights into the election and selection procedures for senior SIA officials at the subnational level, and shows that the executive exerts strong, but functionally reasonable, influence on candidate selection.}, language = {en} } @article{HustedtSeyfried2016, author = {Hustedt, Thurid and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Co-ordination across internal organizational boundaries: how the EU Commission co-ordinates climate policies}, series = {Journal of European public policy}, volume = {23}, journal = {Journal of European public policy}, publisher = {Springer Publishing Company}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1350-1763}, doi = {10.1080/13501763.2015.1074605}, pages = {888 -- 905}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Through an analysis of climate policy-making in the European Commission (EU), this article argues that co-ordination in the Commission displays the same characteristics as the co-ordination across ministries in central governments, i.e., the properties of negative co-ordination. The article is based on a survey among Commission officials. Overall, the article reveals that a public administration perspective on the Commission proves invaluable to gain insights on how decisions are made at the European Union level. The article contributes to the emerging literature viewing the Commission as an ordinary bureaucracy - as opposed to a unique supranational organization.}, language = {en} } @misc{SeyfriedPohlenz2018, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Pohlenz, Philipp}, title = {Assessing quality assurance in higher education}, series = {European Journal of Higher Education}, journal = {European Journal of Higher Education}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-413052}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The present article offers a mixed-method perspective on the investigation of determinants of effectiveness in quality assurance at higher education institutions. We collected survey data from German higher education institutions to analyse the degree to which quality managers perceive their approaches to quality assurance as effective. Based on this data, we develop an ordinary least squares regression model which explains perceived effectiveness through structural variables and certain quality assurance-related activities of quality managers. The results show that support by higher education institutions' higher management and cooperation with other education institutions are relevant preconditions for larger perceived degrees of quality assurance effectiveness. Moreover, quality managers' role as promoters of quality assurance exhibits significant correlations with perceived effectiveness. In contrast, sanctions and the perception of quality assurance as another administrative burden reveal negative correlations.}, language = {en} } @misc{Seyfried2005, author = {Seyfried, Markus}, title = {"Wie viel ist genug?" : Bev{\"o}lkerungswachstum ; Forschungsgegenstand mit vielen Facetten}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-47919}, year = {2005}, abstract = {„Menschen ben{\"o}tigen Platz zum Leben." In dieser Erkenntnis liegt noch nichts Besonderes oder gar Aufregendes. Erst die Tatsache, dass die menschliche Bev{\"o}lkerung seit jeher zunimmt, aber der zur Verf{\"u}gung stehende Platz konstant bleibt bzw. die Ressourcen in ihrem Bestand sogar abnehmen, macht dieses Thema wesentlich gehaltvoller. Offensichtlich ist außerdem: „Population growth seems to affect everything but is seldom held responsible for anything." (McKee 2003: 10) Dies ist der Hauptgrund daf{\"u}r, dass gerade die Thematik der Bev{\"o}lkerungsentwicklung internationale Beachtung und Aufmerksamkeit verdient.}, language = {de} } @article{TangSullivanHongetal.2019, author = {Tang, Alan T. and Sullivan, Katie Rose and Hong, Courtney C. and Goddard, Lauren M. and Mahadevan, Aparna and Ren, Aileen and Pardo, Heidy and Peiper, Amy and Griffin, Erin and Tanes, Ceylan and Mattei, Lisa M. and Yang, Jisheng and Li, Li and Mericko-Ishizuka, Patricia and Shen, Le and Hobson, Nicholas and Girard, Romuald and Lightle, Rhonda and Moore, Thomas and Shenkar, Robert and Polster, Sean P. and Roedel, Claudia Jasmin and Li, Ning and Zhu, Qin and Whitehead, Kevin J. and Zheng, Xiangjian and Akers, Amy and Morrison, Leslie and Kim, Helen and Bittinger, Kyle and Lengner, Christopher J. and Schwaninger, Markus and Velcich, Anna and Augenlicht, Leonard and Abdelilah-Seyfried, Salim and Min, Wang and Marchuk, Douglas A. and Awad, Issam A. and Kahn, Mark L.}, title = {Distinct cellular roles for PDCD10 define a gut-brain axis in cerebral cavernous malformation}, series = {Science Translational Medicine}, volume = {11}, journal = {Science Translational Medicine}, number = {520}, publisher = {American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1946-6234}, doi = {10.1126/scitranslmed.aaw3521}, pages = {14}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a genetic, cerebrovascular disease. Familial CCM is caused by genetic mutations in KRIT1, CCM2, or PDCD10. Disease onset is earlier and more severe in individuals with PDCD10 mutations. Recent studies have shown that lesions arise from excess mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3) signaling downstream of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation by lipopolysaccharide derived from the gut microbiome. These findings suggest a gut-brain CCM disease axis but fail to define it or explain the poor prognosis of patients with PDCD10 mutations. Here, we demonstrate that the gut barrier is a primary determinant of CCM disease course, independent of microbiome configuration, that explains the increased severity of CCM disease associated with PDCD10 deficiency. Chemical disruption of the gut barrier with dextran sulfate sodium augments CCM formation in a mouse model, as does genetic loss of Pdcd10, but not Krit1, in gut epithelial cells. Loss of gut epithelial Pdcd10 results in disruption of the colonic mucosal barrier. Accordingly, loss of Mucin-2 or exposure to dietary emulsifiers that reduce the mucus barrier increases CCM burden analogous to loss of Pdcd10 in the gut epithelium. Last, we show that treatment with dexamethasone potently inhibits CCM formation in mice because of the combined effect of action at both brain endothelial cells and gut epithelial cells. These studies define a gut-brain disease axis in an experimental model of CCM in which a single gene is required for two critical components: gut epithelial function and brain endothelial signaling.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyfriedDoeringAnsmann2022, author = {Seyfried, Markus and D{\"o}ring, Matthias and Ansmann, Moritz}, title = {The sequence of isomorphism—}, series = {Administration \& society}, volume = {54}, journal = {Administration \& society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {Thousand Oaks}, issn = {0095-3997}, doi = {10.1177/00953997211017137}, pages = {87 -- 116}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Isomorphism has been widely used to describe why trends penetrate entire organizational fields. However, research so far has neglected the temporal aspects of such diffusion processes and the organizational reasons underlying the introduction of new management tools. We argue that during reform waves, the reasons for adopting the new tools differ over time. Using comparative data from two surveys on quality management in the field of higher education and the health sector, we show that early adopters are more likely to be motivated by instrumental reasons, while late adopters will more likely be motivated by institutional reasons.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyfriedReith2020, author = {Seyfried, Markus and Reith, Florian}, title = {Strength of weakness}, series = {Journal of higher education policy and management}, volume = {43}, journal = {Journal of higher education policy and management}, number = {3}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1360-080X}, doi = {10.1080/1360080X.2020.1812802}, pages = {298 -- 314}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The paper investigates quality management in teaching and learning in higher education institutions from a principal-agent perspective. Based on data gained from semi-structured interviews and from a nation-wide survey with quality managers of German higher education institutions, the study shows how quality managers position themselves in relation to their perception of the interests of other actors in higher education institutions. The paper describes the various interests and discusses the main implications of this constellation of actors. It argues that quality managers, although they may be considered as rather weak actors within the higher education institution, may be characterised as having a strength of weakness due to diverging interests of their principals.}, language = {en} } @article{AnsmannSeyfried2022, author = {Ansmann, Moritz and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Isomorphism and organizational performance}, series = {Quality assurance in education}, volume = {30}, journal = {Quality assurance in education}, number = {1}, publisher = {Emerald Group Publishing Limited}, address = {Bingley}, issn = {0968-4883}, doi = {10.1108/QAE-07-2021-0114}, pages = {135 -- 149}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Purpose Quality management has become an integral part of management reforms in public sector organizations. Drawing on a new institutionalist perspective, this study aims to investigate the relation of management reforms and organizational performance in the context of higher education. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the interaction between isomorphic conformity in quality management adoption, organizational learning and quality improvement and, in so doing, address the central theoretical question of what effects isomorphic conformity has on organizational performance. Empirically, the study draws on survey data from quality managers at public higher education institutions in Germany. Methodically, it applies confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings The results suggest that mimetic isomorphism is surprisingly compatible with processes of organizational learning, and thus, does not inevitably compromise organizational development. Originality/value By presenting these findings, the authors contribute to the controversial theoretical debate concerning the effects of isomorphism and to the ongoing discussion regarding the organizational impact of quality management in higher education.}, language = {en} } @misc{FleischerSeyfried2013, author = {Fleischer, Julia and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Drawing from the bargaining pool}, series = {Party politics}, journal = {Party politics}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-404479}, pages = {12}, year = {2013}, abstract = {This article expands our current knowledge about ministerial selection in coalition governments and analyses why ministerial candidates succeed in acquiring a cabinet position after general elections. It argues that political parties bargain over potential office-holders during government-formation processes, selecting future cabinet ministers from an emerging bargaining pool'. The article draws upon a new dataset comprising all ministrable candidates discussed by political parties during eight government-formation processes in Germany between 1983 and 2009. The conditional logit regression analysis reveals that temporal dynamics, such as the day she enters the pool, have a significant effect on her success in achieving a cabinet position. Other determinants of ministerial selection discussed in the existing literature, such as party and parliamentary expertise, are less relevant for achieving ministerial office. The article concludes that scholarship on ministerial selection requires a stronger emphasis for its endogenous nature in government-formation as well as the relevance of temporal dynamics in such processes.}, language = {en} } @article{KuhlmannSeyfriedBrajnik2017, author = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and Seyfried, Markus and Brajnik, Irena Baclija}, title = {Mayors and administrative reforms}, series = {Political Leaders and Changing Local Democracy}, journal = {Political Leaders and Changing Local Democracy}, publisher = {Palgrave}, address = {Basingstoke}, isbn = {978-3-319-67410-0}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-67410-0_13}, pages = {387 -- 409}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In recent decades, a wave of administrative reforms has changed local governance in many European countries. However, our knowledge about differences as well as similarities between the countries, driving forces, impacts, perceptions, and evaluation of these reforms is still limited. In the chapter, the authors give an overview about mayors' perceptions and evaluations of two major reform trajectories: (a) re-organisation of local service delivery and (b) internal administrative/managerial reforms. Furthermore, differences between (groups of) countries as well as similarities among them are shown in these two fields of administrative reform. Finally, the authors tried to identify explanatory factors for specific perceptions of administrative reforms at the local level.}, language = {en} } @article{KuhlmannSeyfried2020, author = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Comparatice methods B}, series = {Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy}, journal = {Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy}, publisher = {Edward Elgar Publishing}, address = {Cheltenham}, isbn = {978-1-78990-347-8}, pages = {181 -- 196}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @incollection{KuhlmannSeyfried2020, author = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and Seyfried, Markus}, title = {Comparative methods B}, series = {Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy}, booktitle = {Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy}, editor = {Vigoda-Gadot, Eran and Vashdi, Dana R.}, publisher = {Edward Elgar Publishing}, address = {Cheltenham, UK}, isbn = {978-1-78990-347-8}, doi = {10.4337/9781789903485.00017}, pages = {181 -- 196}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This chapter outlines the relevance and value of comparative approaches and methods in studying Public Administration (PA). It discusses the roots and current developments of comparative research in PA and discusses various methodological venues for cross-country comparisons, such as most similar/dissimilar systems designs, the method of concomitant variation and the difference-in-difference method. Besides the description of these approaches, we highlight their conceptual value for theory-driven empirical comparative research. Drawing on selected pieces of comparative research, the chapter furthermore provides examples for the application of comparative methods in practice presenting empirical findings and highlighting strengths and weaknesses. The chapter finally emphasizes that the methodological development in comparative PA research has by far not yet reached its end, and that some future challenges need to be addressed, such as the issues of causality, generalizability, and mixed-methods approaches.}, language = {en} } @article{KuhlmannSeyfriedSiegel2018, author = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and Seyfried, Markus and Siegel, John Philipp}, title = {Was bewirken Gebietsreformen?}, series = {Der moderne Staat : dms ; Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Public Policy, Recht und Management}, volume = {11}, journal = {Der moderne Staat : dms ; Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Public Policy, Recht und Management}, number = {1}, publisher = {Budrich}, address = {Leverkusen}, issn = {1865-7192}, pages = {119 -- 141}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Der vorliegende Beitrag fasst die bisherige Forschung {\"u}ber die Wirkungen von Gebietsreformen zusammen und analysiert diese aus inhaltlicher und methodischer Perspektive. Basierend auf einer Auswertung von ausgew{\"a}hlten nationalen und europ{\"a}ischen Studien werden Wirkungsbefunde in drei zentralen Dimensionen dargestellt: (1) Leistungsf{\"a}higkeit, Verwaltungs- und Veranstaltungskraft, (2) Einsparungen, Skalenertr{\"a}ge und Wirtschaftlichkeit und (3) Partizipation und demokratische Kontrolle. Im Ergebnis kann festgestellt werden, dass die Leistungs- und Handlungsf{\"a}higkeit kommunaler Verwaltungen durch Gebietsreformen {\"u}berwiegend positiv beeinflusst wird. Dagegen sind die empirischen Befunde bez{\"u}glich Wirtschaftlichkeit, Einsparungen und Skalenertr{\"a}ge sowie zur Partizipation und demokratischen Kontrolle nicht eindeutig.}, language = {de} }