Derek Glover and Rosalind Levacic have produced a practical work of reference th

at rather ambitiously endeavours to mesh the technical with the general and to m
ake all of it accessible to non-experts. The text is interspersed with case stud
ies from around the world, providing an international flavour. But whether it tr
uly gives an international perspective depends on one's taste.
The authors' basic thesis is that educational resource management is not well un
derstood and so the impacts of policy decisions and frameworks are often not pro
perly evaluated. In essence, the book sets out to explain (and on occasions eval
uate) the link between resourcing and its effect in the world of education.
The book begins with a helpful articulation of the environment in which educatio
nal organisations operate, together with the public/private dichotomies in terms
of funding and benefits. A focus on the allocation of public finance is followe
d by more technical sections concerning cost structures and the processes that u
nderpin budgetary preparation, allocation, control and evaluation, together with
a sprint through the principles of asset management and capital expenditure.
Throughout, the book remains grounded as, essentially, a reference text to dip i
n and out of as the latest challenge presents itself. That said, there is a valu
e in reading it in a single sitting, which will benefit students of educational
resource management and those making a shift from teaching to educational manage
ment.
The book is published at a timely moment given the ever more forensic scrutiny o
f education by Government and policymakers. It sets out a clear framework and as
sociated guidance on managing financial resources and the evident tensions that
decision-making in that context leads to. In one chapter, for example, the autho
rs begin to explore the perennial notions of effectiveness, efficiency and value
for money, but skirt around the notion that value for money has improved becaus
e of the introduction of "some element of market forces" to many educational eco
nomies. The next chapter points out that limited public funding is often accompa
nied by limited private capacity, but the nuancing of the interplay between the
various sources and the impact on value-for-money judgments is perhaps underplay
ed.
Further on there is a powerful message that, however aware of theory and theoret
ical positions one is, the "predominating management style of the organisation w
ill affect the philosophy and practice of resource allocation". More of this kin
d of linkage would have enhanced the descriptive and technical passages and offe
red space for reflection on the interplay between subtle as well as well-defined
processes.
The book does fulfil its stated purpose, although I'm not sure that the internat
ional elements are fully elucidated. Yes, there are vignettes and brief case stu
dies, but they are tasters designed to whet but not to satisfy any hearty appeti
te. But, as the conclusion asserts, educational resource management requires "an
understanding of the open systems environment, strategic and budgetary planning
and evaluation of processes, outputs and outcomes". Such understanding "helps e
nsure that financial resources are used effectively, efficiently and in a way th
at is both equitable and provides value for money".
In that context, it is useful as a reference book and could grace the shelf of a
ny educational manager. It recognises that there is more to say, though, and I e
xpect that any aspiring manager will move beyond it to more integrated rather th
an technical material.
Educational Resource Management: An International Perspective
By Derek Glover and Rosalind Levacic

Institute of Education, University of London