Getting Horizontal Toward Becoming a Digitally-Enabled University

Abstract

This writing addresses the current state of a private university that is growing its use of technology. The ‘horizontal’ organization is a theoretical ideal, in that common information and processes no longer exist in function area silos. This ideal state might also be called the digitally-enabled university. Our university shares the enrollment drops being suffered by many business schools, at the same time as it is using technology more. These contrary forces are modulated by a third, that our students are savvy technologists, and have greater expectations of their college experience. This writing addresses two questions: How do we now move to the next higher level use of technology? What does that higher level look like, and how might it work? Information technology does not of itself solve any problem. Improved use of technology should be in service to better communication and improved processes that serve students. A conclusion is that the need for human contact – discussion, discourse, problem-solving, mediation, and counseling – is not lessened by greater uses of technology. Technology has to complement and support how people interact with their world.