Business Facility Collegiality

Abstract

This case, based on actual events, raises the issue of whether or not collegiality can be measured in an academic organization, particularly as an attribute in tenure and promotion decisions. Business school faculty are singled out, triggered by their major accrediting agency’s recent suggestion in its magazine that collegiality is one of three essential future quality criterion for excellence. A senior professor is questioned by a young applicant for tenure who voices concern about meeting nebulous collegiality standards in contrast with more logical measures of candidates’ teaching, research, and service accomplishments. The college’s policy manual cites “interpersonal relationships” and “work habits” as variables for judging Collegiality and Organizational Fit. A literature search yields strong pro and con opinions and provides a useful view of the sometimes controversial issue. Instructors in higher education administration and leadership could use the case and its teaching notes to realistically demonstrate the complexity of this topic.