Organizational and institutional mechanisms of administrative management in higher education institutions: a participatory approach to university governance

Abstract

The study substantiates organizational and institutional mechanisms of administrative management in higher education institutions through a participatory approach and identifies the formally established role of students in university governance. A qualitative documentary case study of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University combines document analysis and comparative interpretation. Thirteen legal and institutional documents are examined, distinguishing historical context from regulations available as of September 6, 2026. Provisions are classified by authority allocation, collegiality, representation and procedural participation. A four-level analytical framework distinguishes information, consultation, representation and specified decision-related powers. Student participation is embedded in the academic council, rectorate, methodological bodies, programme review and self-government. The July 2026 regulations specify information duties and approval procedures. Representation, consultation and voting rights provide different institutional opportunities and cannot be treated as equivalent evidence of influence. The proposed model connects rules, authority, representation, procedures, collegial decisions and feedback. The contribution is an integrated interpretation of participatory administrative management supported by a document register, explicit classification rules and traceable examples. Individual curricular choice is distinguished from collective university governance. The framework can support procedural audits, documentation of student proposals and clarification of administrative responsibilities. The study examines formal arrangements and one recorded meeting. It does not measure actual influence, demonstrate effectiveness or establish causal relationships. Interviews, repeated observations and comparisons across universities are needed to evaluate implementation