How to take a complexity approach to attrition/retention
Posted by Colin Beer on February 14 2017 at 1:11 a.m.
A colleague and I authored a paper last year that questioned some of the assumptions that Australian Higher Education Institutions (HEI) make about student retention/attrition (Beer & Lawson, 2016). We suggested that student attrition is a complex, non-linear problem; a wicked problem that is set within a complex social system and universities are making little headway with the issue (Beer & Lawson, 2016) . Despite the enormous interconnected complexity associated with student attrition, HEI still use traditional problem solving methods and mindsets when it comes to addressing their student attrition issues. We are now thinking about how we might convert our abstract writings on the topic of student attrition and retention into action. This post is intended to help get some of our thoughts down, writing as thinking if you like.
We know that students leave their universities based on a culmination of many factors, most of which fall outside the university’s ability to influence. This isn’t to say universities can’t do anything about it, far from it, but maybe we need to think about student attrition in a different way. Universities tend to treat attrition like it is a traditional problem that can be solved using classic approaches to problem solving based on a process of understanding the problem, gathering information, synthesizing information and formulating a solution (Ritchey, 2002). We would argue that this is an ontological misinterpretation of the actual nature of the system we are dealing with, so maybe we need a different approach.
It could be argued that the underlying system is being treated as an ordered, linear system whereby it makes sense to apply an approach based on detailed planning that aims to achieve an idealistic future state (ie most Australian universities mention increased retention in their strategic plans) (Boehm & Turner, 2003; Camillus, 2008). However, we suggest that the underlying system is (ontologically) an unordered system with its many interacting and interdependent variables, and behaves more like a complex adaptive system (CAS) (Davis & Sumara, 2007; Davis & Sumara, 2006; Mason, 2008a, 2008b). The following sections are not mutually exclusive and look at some of the differences between how universities are currently approaching attrition and an approach based on CAS. This might help us determine, where to from here.
Approach to implementing change
How HEI work at the moment (at least in my limited experience) is based around episodic change. This is where organisational change is stimulated by internal or external catalysts (Weick, 2012; Weick & Quinn, 1999; Weick, Sutcliffe, & Obstfeld, 2005). For example, new technologies, new managers, financial situations, restructuring and so on. These changes are intentional, infrequent and discontinuous. The organisational metaphor here is inertial and the emphasis is on short term adaptation (Weick & Quinn, 1999). When dealing with a CAS, unpredictability and disproportionate consequences are the norm. Change in these contexts is constant, always evolving, cumulative and endlessly reacting to small contingencies. The organisational metaphor here is based on agility and long term adaptation.
Communications, responsibility and accountability
HEI are, at least in Australia, rigidly organised as hierarchical bureaucracies. They are decomposed into organisational units where people are grouped by role. We often critically refer to these units as silos. Strategy is determined centrally by a small group of people and detailed plans are created, disseminated and deviation from the plan is strongly discouraged. Communications, responsibility around who does what, and accountability all flow from this rigid structure and acquiescence to the plan. A CAS approach recognises that institutional memory, cognition and the ability to solve problems is distributed across the network of agents in the organisation. Cross silo communications and collaboration in this case is crucial. CAS requires a network approach to organisational communications and collaboration.
Approach to problem solving and taking action
This is linked with the previous section but is another key difference worth mentioning. Currently, when universities are trying to address a complex issue like student attrition, they resort to detailed plans that aim to help the organisation achieve their desired future state; ie reduced attrition, increase enrolments etc. This plans include a range of key performance indicators (KPI) that are used to measure progress against the said plan. Detailed planning and strict adherence to the plan assumes that the interconnected array of systems involved are stable and fixed and won’t change as we implement the
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