Abstract:

The subject of the research is the process of formation and development of the partner's network of the university as a condition for its transition to a non-linear model. The goal of the study is to diagnose the level of development of regional partner's university network.
The object of research is the Ural Federal University (UrFU), the leading regional university in the social and economic developed region – Ural Federal District. The author believes that the rise of UrFU prestige and competitiveness is possible due to the transition of the university to its non-linear model. This means greater flexibility, openness and reflexivity of all its subsystems and elements, various activities in the conditions of social and economic uncertainty. In this regard, theoretical and empirical analysis of UrFU partner's network is necessary. This partner network is the link between the university and the external environment. Its development allows for ensuring non-linear parameters of functioning.

The research methodology is based on the concept of the information society, according to which the partner's networks of universities is a special format of social networking. The authors used methodological principles of communication theory, according to which the partner's networks is the result of the communicative policy of the University. The base for the study is also the concept of non-linearity of social systems. It allows us to determine such qualitative characteristics of the partner's network as flexibility, dynamism, openness and reflexivity. The authors also used the marketing approach and the stakeholder concept.

The article presents the results of an empirical study conducted with the methods of the expert interviews, analysis of the content of the website and print media of UrFU. The authors revealed the structure and the main characteristics of the partner's network of UrFU, discovered a chronic shortage of interaction with local authorities, non-governmental organizations. They also point out an underestimation of the mobilization of networking with other regional institutions of higher education, its own employees.

The article studies types and «weight» of the UrFU network partners, the format of cooperation with them, loyalty of the partners to the university, identifies common goals and interests of participants in the partner's network. The necessity of development of the UrFU partner network by strengthening links with other universities, schools and colleges of the Ural region is substantiated. Authors recommend mobilization of the ties with UrFU graduates, including members of administrative elite in the region. The role of the UrFU partner network for the development of its non-linear model due to the presence of horizontal multiple connections and relationships, conservation of the balance of autonomy / dependence university from partners, the accumulation of non-material resources necessary for survival in conditions of social and economic uncertainty is shown.

Keywords:

Partner's university networks, non-linear model of higher education, social and economic uncertainty.