Daron Benjamin Loo*, Aileen Wanli Lam

Abstract:

Literature has shown that unit coordinators at universities, who are considered middle managers, occupy a rather ambiguous space. This is because the nature of oversight employed by unit coordinators could be that of managing or leading. These types of oversights, however, may not be easily distinguished. This caveat serves as the basis for this study, which seeks to explore the professional identity of two unit coordinators — Aileen and Daron. Data was collected from reflections written by Aileen and Daron over one academic year (two semesters) about their experiences of oversight of two separate modules. Then, their reflections were examined using a case study approach. From both case studies, it was observed that managing was integral to the operations of the module; nonetheless, Aileen’s case was distinct in that there were also aspects of leading, seen primarily through the open space for communication and feedback, while Daron’s case illustrated aspects of managing, through a distancing between himself and the part-time tutors. Besides the working relationship with the part-time tutors being a factor that shaped the type of oversight enacted, the nature of the modules which they coordinated may have also played a role.

Keywords: Managing, leading, unit coordinators, higher education

https://fslmjournals.taylors.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/APJFES/APJFES-2023-1-1/APJFES-2023-P1-2-1.pdf

DOI: 10.58946/apjfes-2.1.P1