[apdinin]

I'm not convinced the accelerated growth in administrative positions is entirely a result of corporatization. FWIW - I'm commenting as someone who has served on a few committees at a top 50 public, Research I institution. Not a single meeting ever included anything remotely resembling the phrase "we need to decrease costs in order to increase revenues and line our pockets!"

In the US (which is all I can speak to), the growth in administrative staff seems more like a response to increased layers of political bureaucracy. For example, schools are scrambling to add Title XI administrators because the federal government requires them in order to get federal funding (including student loans). Faculty don't want to be responsible for the associated administration and paperwork, so someone has to do it.

Regarding increases in tuition prices, most if not all states are slashing higher education funding. That shortfall has to be made up for somehow.