Position Description Analysis - A Method For Describing Academic Roles and Functions

Oct 15, 2026

The paper presents a methodology of Position Description Analysis using Dalhousie University as a case study to assess the gap between the existing academic status quo and the specializations colleges and universities need to meet new social demands. It argues that higher education must realign fields of specialization while current faculty remain tenured. Internal strategies for change are required because growth funding is unavailable and external solutions may otherwise be imposed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

ABSTRACT

RESUMÉ

A Catalogue of Knowledge

METHOD

# Position Description Analysis: A Method For Describing Academic Rolesand Functions¹ K.EDWARD RENNER*and RONALD J.SKIBBENSt ## ABSTRACT Similar to the 1960s,higher education is once again in a period of rapid socialchange in which new demands and expectations are being made on colleges anduniversities.This time,however,new money is not available for the transition tobe achieved through additional growth.In this paper,the methodology ofPositionDescription Analysis is presented using Dalhousie University as a case study.Position Description Analysis is a tool for assessing the discrepancy between theMtatus quo and the specializations needed for colleges and universities to meet thenew demands and expectations which are being made of them.It is concluded thatthere is a need for dramatic realignment offields of specialization in order to shiftjrom the emphases of the past to those of the future.However,because the facultyhired in the 1960s are now tenured,but not due to retire until after the year 2000,hlgher education must find internal strategies for change or face externallyImposed solutions to their current lack of flexibility. ## RESUMÉ Tout comme dans les années soixante,I'éducation supérieure se trouve uneMouvelle fois confrontée à des changements sociaux rapides qui imposent auxcolleges et aux universités de nouvelles exigences,de nouveaux besoins.Toutefois,cette fois-ci,il n'est pas question de compter sur I'attribution deMouveaux crédits pour mettre en oeuvre des mesures susceptibles dassurer uneIransition satisfaisante.Dans cet article,qui prend I'université Dalhousie à titred'oxemple,on examine les méthodes d'analyse de postes,car nous croyons que ceenre d'analyse permet d'évaluer avec efficacité la différence entre la situation鲁ctuelle et celle,fondee sur une plus grande spécialisation dans les colleges etlox universités,qui serait nécessaire pour répondre aux nouveaux besoins et auxMowvelles exigences.Nous estimons qu'il faudra absolument redéfinir lesdomaines de spécialisation.Toutefois,comme les professeurs embauchés dans les Dopariment of Psychology,Dalhousic University中Dvhwol of Public Administration,Dalhousie University années soixante possedent tous leur permanence et ne devront prendre leurretraite qu'apres I'an 2000,il faudra que les institutions d'enseignementsupérieur acceptent d'autres moyens de changement,soit internes,soit imposés deI'extérieur,pour compenser leur manque de flexibilité actuel. The 1960's were a period of growth and excitement for Canadian universities(Symons&Page,1984).Wider access to higher education was seen as a tool forachieving greater social justice,and,at the same time,Sputnik triggered a capitalinvestment in science and technology.Teaching and research thrived,the campuswas a dynamic actor in a period of political and social change;a new generation ofteachers and learners were united in a quest. Twenty-five years later higher education is again being thrust into the centre ofpublic awareness,but in a state of crisis,amid criticisms of failure and withdemands for greater accountability in both the U.S.and Canada(e.g.,Bloom,1987;Bercuson,Bothwell &Granatstein,1984).Now,an older generation ofteachers struggle to protect their once valued roles and functions. Similar to the 1960's,we are again n a period of rapid social change.Thetransformations in the world since then have once again introduced new challengestohigher cducation:Accommodation to life-long learning(e.g.,Campbell,1984),knowledge that is more interdisciplinary and less specialized (e.g.,Edgerton,1989),universities that are more directly connected with both business andindustry(e.g.,Cordes,1989),learning that is more relevant(e.g.,Whipple,1987)and learners that are better connected with the social and economic context(e.g.,Newman,1985).This time it is the products of those past investments in scienceand technology,and the human adaptation they are requiring,which havecombined to provide the potential f

FAQs

What problem does Position Description Analysis address in higher education?

It assesses the discrepancy between the current status quo and the specializations colleges and universities need to meet new demands and expectations.

Why is internal change required instead of relying on additional growth?

The paper states that new money is not available for the needed transition, so institutions must pursue internal strategies to improve flexibility.

How does the paper use Dalhousie University in its study?

Dalhousie University is used as a case study to present and illustrate the methodology of Position Description Analysis.

Oct 15, 2026

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