This article examines the relationship between faculty and administrators in colleges and universities as partners in a shared governance enterprise. It addresses a gap in knowledge around the value of this particular relationship and factors motivating its nurturance in the interest of institutional ends. Three theoretical concepts are offered from the sociology and management literatures capable of deepening our understanding of this relationship—social exchange, social capital, and network forms of organizations. Study of the social interactions between faculty and administrators will provide insights into improving collaborative activity and the decision-making systems of which they are a part.
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