Given the sheer number of decisions made by administrators in higher education and the often significant impact of those decisions, one might think that research into how these decisions are made would be extensive. However, that has not been the case. This study was an attempt to address that hole in the literature. Specifically, I was interested in understanding what factors influence the decision-making of higher education administrators in student affairs and intercollegiate athletics, how these administrators handle conflicts between the influential factors, and if/how the administrators engage their personal ethics during their decision-making process. To answer these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with higher education administrators in student affairs and intercollegiate athletics. Participants were asked to describe a tough decision, and then they completed a hands-on activity designed to help them reflect on the factors that influenced that decision and how those factors interacted. Next, they answered questions about their general decision-making and ethics. Finally, they listened to two case studies and answered questions about the decision-making they would undertake in each situation. Analysis of the data revealed eight categories of factors that influence administrative decision-making. Those categories were: students, institution, people, process/regulations, money/other resources, professional identity, the situation, and the right thing to do/personal ethics. Participants identified numerous conflicts between these influential factors. Resolving those conflicts typically meant prioritizing one factor over others. Often, though not always, participants prioritized students, and in particular students’ best interests, when attempting to resolve conflicts between influences and make their final decision. The frameworks of the four ethics (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2000) and moral intensity (Jones, 1991) provided helpful guidance in understanding how the various factors interact and how they influence decision-making.
Read
