ABSTRACT
The successful management of academic institutions requires detailed planning, timely and appropriate decision making, and skilful coordination of activities. The organizational structure of the institution is often a determinative factor. Distance education generally is imparted through three types of institutions: the purpose-built distance education institutions (open universities), the mixed-mode (or dual-mode) institutions and the consortia (Rumble, 1986). In the case of mixed-mode institutions, the department or school of distance education is only one of the academic units of the parent institution and, therefore, the managerial responsibilities relating to it are limited. The consortia are essentially materials development and distribution agencies with management stressing the commercial aspects. Hence, the ensuing discussion is focused on the management of open universities, though much of what will be stated could also be applicable to the two other institutional types. It may also be mentioned that the management of distance education institutions is rendered difficult by the facts that these have a number of subsystems with different functions and responsibilities, and that their different administrative and academic units are spatially separated.
