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Higher education institutions have undergone a transformation over the past few decades, from loosely coupled systems to more centrally managed organizations. Central to this ongoing development is the increasing competition for resources and reputation, driving higher education institutions to rationalize their structures and practices. In our study, we focused on changes in job advertisements for professorships in Germany from 1990 to 2010. Findings showed that the requirements stipulated by universities for professorial positions have become increasingly differentiated (and measurable) over time. In this context, competitive aspects, such as third-party funding, international orientation, or publications, have particularly come to the fore and grown significantly in importance. We discuss these findings in light of an increasing managerialization of higher education institutions, which has a direct effect on collegiality. We argue that the differentiation of professorial job profiles leads to even more formalized appointment processes and may push collegial governance into the background.

The effects of big data in this present age are highly significant, and big data have become more applicable to society. Big data technology has been adopted by many, and its applications are utilized at national, organizational, and industry levels. This transformation of industries due to big data is changing working practice in academia, business, the humanitarian sector, and government, as they offer insights and positive effects across all sectors, making legal, economic, political, social, and ethical impacts in our world and producing innovation, efficiency, better decision-making, and a greater return on investments. This paper reviews the social implications, risks, challenges, and present and future opportunities of big data.