Structural Dimensions of University Departments and their Context: The Case of West Germany

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Abstract
This study applies the Aston methodology for measuring formal organizational structures to a sample of 35 West German university departments. Three structural dimensions are developed, namely academic control, bureaucratic control, and nonworkflow proportion, and they differ considerably from the original Aston findings. The structural dimensions and many structural and contextual variables show score levels which differ across scientific fields. It is demonstrated that these differences can be explained by the varying levels of paradigm development represented by the departments analysed.