| It is no coincidence that globalization is redefining and reconfiguring interactions between people, regions and nations of the world. Although nations differ in their response towards the educational imperative for their people, all national leaders face similar global challenges with differing assets and deficits regarding national intellectual capabilities. Educational development is key for nations' creation of a dynamic workforce and informed citizens able to compete and cooperate globally---opening doors of economic and social prosperity.; Institutions of higher education around the world are critical venues offering relevant academic programs and courses for students. College/university presidents profoundly make crucial decisions which influence greatly every nation's intellectual development and as a result their nations' local and global economic growth, stability and sustainability. College/university presidents require the knowledge and refined tools to assist them in meeting today's multifaceted educational challenges. Consequences of the mismanagement by presidents of higher educational institutions can have dire and long lasting effects.; The purpose of this study is to identity factors employed by presidents of higher educational institutions around the world when making administrative and fiscal management decisions. Global travel for the face-to-face interviews was inherently curial to the study design. Seven (7) college/university presidents, one participant on each continent (North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe with a representative from an island as a substitute for Antarctica) were selected as the case study to accommodate global distribution.; As a conceptual framework, the study used a "wide-angle" lens incorporating three theories from diverse disciplines; World Culture Theory, Bounded Rationality, and Human Capital Theory. Collectively, these three theories yield a less insular and monolithic approach providing a more divergent and innovative insights of globalization research.; Because of the rapid expansion of the global marketplace, business demands, and instantaneous information dissemination (Internet), college students are global residents. Therefore, how leaders of higher educational institutional throughout the world made decisions and their choice are central to the intellectual growth and educational opportunities offered students. The decisions of college/university presidents must promote the expanse, availability and relevancy of global education fostering a wide array of benefits for today's global community. |
