The Phenomenon of Homogeneous Heterogeneity and Its Forming Mechanism in the Modernization Reform of Higher Education Governance: Case Studies Based on France, Germany, and Britain

Since the 1980s, Western higher education governance reforms have shared characteristics such as market doctrine, competition, and deregulation. Despite diverse governance models and paths, a “homogeneous heterogeneity” describes the whole system. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have implemented modernization measures involving state control, administrative autonomy, market competition, academic autonomy, and external participation. Utilizing institutional isomorphism and historical institutionalism, this paper examines how these countries emulate and learn from external experiences while considering path dependence caused by internal institutional differences. Based on the analysis, we propose three suggestions for higher education governance modernization in China: exploring a development approach that fits China's national context, establishing a system with Chinese characteristics featuring cooperation and co-governance, and deepening reform to fully realize the positive role of market mechanisms in higher education governance modernization.