Abstract

LANDONI, Pablo. Isomorphism and Quality: Redefining the Public and Private Spaces in the Uruguayan Higher Education. Rev. Urug. Cienc. Polít. [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.1, pp.183-202. ISSN 0797-9789.

The unexpected arrival of the private sector has produced new dynamics in the Uruguayan higher education system. On one hand, the country followed the international trend of the diversification at the university level supply. Public - private competition increased as well as competition among private institutions. However, due to the large influence of the State University and its prolonged monopolistic provision, isomorphic behaviors were observed. Coercive isomorphism is present when institutional and managerial models are imposed; professional isomorphism is the result of a dominant academic culture, and also cases of mimetic isomorphism happen when private institutions mirrored the public model in search of legitimacy and prestige.

Keywords : Higher Education; Privatization; State; Diversification; Accreditation.

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