Showing papers in "European journal of higher education in 2016"
TL;DR: The idea of the research/teaching nexus has become of increasing importance in thinking about higher education over the last three decades as discussed by the authors, and this idea recognizes the two key functions of higher education and argues that they are, or should be, closely linked.
Abstract: The idea of the research/teaching nexus has become of increasing importance in thinking about higher education over the last three decades. In essence, this idea recognizes the two key functions of higher education – teaching and research – and argues that they are, or should be, closely linked. This article explores the derivation and development of this idea, and considers its application and critique, through a systematic review of the literature. It concludes that, while there is clearly a linkage between research and teaching at a global level, it needs nurturing locally. We might do well to limit the emotional commitment often embodied in thinking about the association between research and teaching, and do more to explore in detail what actually happens in practice.
104 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine how the EU's understanding of excellence has evolved in recent years, from the presentation of the Lisbon strategy in 2000 to the current Europe 2020 strategy.
Abstract: In 2013, the European Union (EU) unveiled its new ‘Composite Indicator for Scientific and Technological Research Excellence’. This is not an isolated occurrence; policy-based interest in excellence is growing all over the world. The heightened focus on excellence and, in particular, attempts to define it through quantitative indicators can have important implications for research policy and for the conduct of research itself. This paper examines how the EU's understanding of excellence has evolved in recent years, from the presentation of the Lisbon strategy in 2000 to the current Europe 2020 strategy. We find a distinct shift in the understanding of excellence and how success in the knowledge-based economy should be achieved: in the early period, excellence is a fuzzy concept, intrinsically embedded in research and researchers and revealed by peer review. In the later period, excellence is more sharply defined and connected with a particular sort of knowledge that which produces breakthroughs; th...
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of experienced scholars provide a broad picture of the most recent round of mergers involving higher education institutions in Europe and beyond, from various theoretical perspectives and in the light of particular historical trajectories and institutional conditions.
Abstract: In this special issue of the European Journal of Higher Education, a number of experienced scholars provide a broad picture of the most recent round of mergers involving higher education institutions in Europe and beyond. In doing so, they address issues pertaining to the different phases described above and from various theoretical perspectives and in the light of particular historical trajectories and institutional conditions. The primary aim is to provide both an empirical account of recent developments as well as an initial foundation for more sophisticated and robust conceptual models used to illuminate on the complex phenomenon surrounding mergers in higher education, and, in turn, critically assess the implications when it comes to change patterns and future directions at the national and supranational (Europe) levels.
44 citations
TL;DR: The use of machine translation in the production of academic work may clash with Higher Education policy and thus requires legislation, in particular in light of issues such as plagiarism and academic mi... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Machine translation, specifically Google Translate, is freely available, and is improving in its ability to provide grammatically accurate translations. This development has the potential to provoke a major transformation in the internationalization process at universities, since students may be, in the future, able to use technology to circumvent traditional language learning processes. While this is a potentially empowering move that may facilitate academic exchange and the diversification of the learner and researcher community, it is also a potentially problematic issue in two main respects. Firstly, the technology is at present unable to align to the sociolinguistic aspects of university-level writing and may be misunderstood as a remedy to lack of writer language proficiency. Secondly, it introduces a new dimension to the production of academic work that may clash with Higher Education policy and, thus, requires legislation, in particular in light of issues such as plagiarism and academic mi...
40 citations
TL;DR: The authors proposed a conceptual model of international student adjustment and adaptation which integrates theory and recent empirical research exploring the academic, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of and influences on the experience of study abroad.
Abstract: Despite a burgeoning body of empirical research on ‘the international student experience’, the area remains under-theorized. The literature to date lacks a guiding conceptual model that captures the adjustment and adaptation trajectories of this unique, growing, and important sojourner group. In this paper, we therefore put forward a conceptual model of international student adjustment and adaptation which integrates theory and recent empirical research exploring the academic, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of and influences on the experience of study abroad. The article discusses, from an intercultural and educational research perspective, contributory factors to international student adjustment. It also details the theoretical background underpinning the model. We conclude by showing how the proposed integrated model can serve as a heuristic tool for international students and higher education practitioners, and we discuss its implications for practice and application. We also show how...
39 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify strategy, branding, and human resources systems as key integrative mechanisms in the merger process and consider some of the complexities and contradictions in a merging university's drive for "excellence" from the perspective of the identity of academic faculty members.
Abstract: In the Finnish higher education system, government steering and the interests of industry and business have come to focus on the impact of the university in society. In 2010, Aalto University was created in a merger of three universities representing different academic fields. The new university developed a forward-looking strategy, restructured its operations to serve a new innovative and interdisciplinary institutional profile or brand, and to attract top talent across the world introduced an academic tenure track career system unprecedented in Finland. In this article, we identify strategy, branding, and human resources systems as key integrative mechanisms in the merger process and consider some of the complexities and contradictions in a merging university's drive for ‘excellence’ from the perspective of the identity of academic faculty members. We also consider more general implications of the Aalto merger for understanding the opportunities and challenges presented by contemporary universit...
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, empirical data from selected public universities in Khabarovsk, Russia, was used to compare first and fifth-year students regarding their attitudes towards corruption in general and university corruption in particular.
Abstract: Based on empirical data from selected public universities in Khabarovsk, Russia, this paper compares first- and fifth-year students regarding their attitudes towards corruption in general and university corruption in particular. Even after making both groups of students comparable with respect to a range of socio-economic characteristics by a matching approach, the results suggest that fifth-year students are more open to a range of informal and corrupt practices than first years. Our analysis therefore points to the possibility that the Russian higher education system might ‘favour’ compliance with corruption and informal practices, with potentially detrimental consequences for the Russian society as a whole.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that merger outcomes are heavily dependent on the role and actions taken by external stakeholders and that mergers in higher education are influenced by the role of external stakeholders.
Abstract: One can, in principle, identify numerous arguments for mergers in higher education (HE), including efficiency, diversity, quality, and regional needs. This diversity can be explained by the growing societal interest in the sector, not least concerning the contributions from HE to society at large. However, research on merger processes has tended to prefer intra- and inter-institutional dynamics within the HE sector, paying less attention to the role of external stakeholders, and their view concerning the arguments for mergers. This paper argues that merger outcomes are heavily dependent on the role and actions taken by external stakeholders. Through the analysis of a failed merger attempt in Norwegian HE, arguments are advanced that not only shed light on the underlying dynamics driving the interest in mergers throughout the sector, but also provides new empirical insights into the outcomes of merger initiatives.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual framework for a comprehensive understanding of the university merger process is developed, which is regarded as a matter of institutionalization of organizational innovation, such as environmental issues, economic benefits, institutional compatibility and human agency.
Abstract: This paper tries to develop a conceptual framework for a comprehensive understanding of the merger process, which is regarded as a matter of institutionalization of organizational innovation. In the framework, a number of factors affecting merger process or institutionalization of merger are identified, such as those related to environmental issues, economic benefits, institutional compatibility and human agency. The framework hopefully narrows our knowledge gap on theorizing innovation process, in general, and university merger, in particular. It also has a potential to better assist decision-makers and managers in planning and implementing university mergers.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed data from a survey of 26 universities in 8 European countries, focusing on middle managers (MMs) and found that at the level of individual institutions, there are notable positive correlations between the presence of collegial and managerial cultures.
Abstract: Today's universities are, accordingly to Clark's entrepreneurial model, sustained by managerialism, whereas collegialism may remain in contrast or work in a different way. More recent literature suggests the clash such as the potential for coexistence between managerialism and collegialism. The study analyses data from a survey of 26 universities in 8 European countries, focusing on middle managers (MMs). The results show that at the level of the individual institutions, there are notable positive correlations between the presence of collegial and of managerial cultures. Multilevel regressions at institutional level are analysed, to ‘predict’ collegiality in light of the universities' managerial culture and other factors affecting organizational change: accountability; distribution of discretional power; funding; impact of quality assurance (QA) and evaluation. The results illustrate that in more managerial universities, collegial culture increases above all when MMs believe that distance-steering...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tried to enhance communications between the Chinese and international literature on mergers by drawing lessons from merger studies in Chinese higher education to scholars doing university mergers in a global context.
Abstract: Since the 1990s, there have been more than 400 cases of university mergers in China, representing various types and involving 1000 public institutions. While China has provided good and abundant cases for studies on university mergers, such an opportunity has not yet been fully exploited by international scholars of university merger research. This paper tries to enhance communications between the Chinese and international literature on mergers by drawing lessons from merger studies in Chinese higher education to scholars doing university merger studies in a global context. The focus of our literature analysis is on key issues pertinent to understanding of merger outcomes, which is a general research gap in university merger studies. As a result, three issues are identified as important, namely environmental drives for university mergers, criteria for evaluation merger outcomes and organization factors affecting merger outcomes.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate how and why higher education policy cooperation is an interesting case to study through the lens of comparative regionalism and explain what has led to this call to broaden analytical perspectives in examining regional integration and how it may be useful for scholars working in the higher education field to engage with this new research direction.
Abstract: The introduction of regional political initiatives in the higher education sector symbolizes one of the many aspects of the changing global higher education landscape. Remarkably, these processes have generally escaped comparative scrutiny by scholars researching higher education policy cooperation or regional integration. In this article, we demonstrate how and why higher education policy cooperation is an interesting case to study through the lens of comparative regionalism. To do so, we describe the emerging debate on comparative regionalism in EU studies. We explain what has led to this call to broaden analytical perspectives in examining regional integration and how it may be useful for scholars working in the higher education field to engage with this new research direction. In setting out this research agenda, we also spotlight the difficulties in operationalizing comparative regionalism for higher education studies and suggest ways forward.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an analysis of the mergers in the Danish Higher Education (HE)-sector with a particular emphasis on the 2007 mergers involving universities and Government Research Institutes (GRIs).
Abstract: This article presents an analysis of the mergers in the Danish Higher Education (HE)-sector with a particular emphasis on the 2007 mergers involving universities and Government Research Institutes (GRIs). Furthermore, it follows the post-merger processes up to 2014/2015 at two Danish universities and examines the consequences of the changes seen from the perspective of the key stakeholders, the university managements and the employees. It is shown that the two cases differ in important respects, but also that the three groups of actors within each case have different views of both the processes and the outcomes. Finally, it is shown that it makes a significant difference whether a federal or a unitary structure is implemented after the merger, although each solution has both strengths and weaknesses.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the role that education plays in European Union (EU) integration and conclude that education through mobility remains a highly significant and viable means of constructing and reconstructing identity and European integration, even in a time of economic crisis.
Abstract: This article examines the role that education plays in European Union (EU) integration. We ask whether efforts which historically have been designed to endow European students with a ‘knowledge of Europe’ in terms of an understanding of culture, politics and sensibility have been circumscribed by, or augmented, by the recently inaugurated Europe of Knowledge project. We argue that the renowned Erasmus mobility programme, a flagship of European higher education innovation, may, in light of critical challenges to the Eurozone and the EU project, be recasting itself along its initial 1987 objectives: enhancing a sense of European identity amongst participating exchange students while endowing them with transferrable skills designed to strengthen current weaknesses in the European internal market. We suggest that the initial, integration-fostering, identity-building goals of Erasmus concomitant with ‘growing a Union’, have since 2009 and in the continuation of the Eurozone financial crisis, been progressively replaced by the acquisition of transferable skills necessary to boost employability and drive economic recovery through enhanced labour mobility. As the majority of European labour markets struggle to regain their momentum, we question whether European students participating in the Erasmus programme emerge as merely ‘skilled’ rather than ‘schooled’ in a wider knowledge of Europe intended by the programme’s founders. Surveying students regarding their perceptions of European and national identities, this article concludes that education through mobility remains a highly significant and viable means of constructing and reconstructing identity and European integration, even in a time of economic crisis.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the relationship between central features of multi-level, multi-actor, and multi-issue policy-making in the knowledge domain: the ideas that inspire reform, the institutions tasked to implement the changes, the instruments adopted for translating ideas into practice, and the diverse interests of actors with a stake in how knowledge is governed.
Abstract: This editorial introduces how we may begin to analytically study the shifting terrains of the Europe of Knowledge. Knowledge policies – higher education, research, and innovation – are integral to many sectors, and changes in the ways in which knowledge is governed will inevitably alter the shape and contents of other policy domains. The contributions of this special issue reveal some of these shifting patterns by analysing the relationship between central features of multi-level, multi-actor, and multi-issue policy-making in the knowledge domain: the ideas that inspire reform, the institutions tasked to implement the changes, the instruments adopted for translating ideas into practice, and the diverse interests of actors with a stake in how knowledge is governed. By invoking the image of terrains, this special issue is interested in describing and explaining what happens to the Europe of Knowledge landscapes when the ‘old’ meets and interacts with the ‘new’.
TL;DR: The Higher Education System: Academic Organization in Cross-National Perspective in 1983, higher education identified itself as an interdisciplinary area of research that h... as mentioned in this paper The Higher education system: Academic Organisation in Cross National Perspective
Abstract: Since Burton Clark wrote The Higher Education System: Academic Organization in Cross-National Perspective in 1983, higher education identified itself as an interdisciplinary area of research that h...
TL;DR: The authors argue that the analytical and hortatory registers of policy discourse foreground competitive and hierarchical relations of countries and their higher education systems and contribute to the emergence and reproduction of the neoliberal political rationality proposed by the Foucauldian governmentality theory.
Abstract: Policy texts present problems, propose solutions to those problems and persuade multiple audiences of the legitimacy of the proposed problems and solutions. The rhetorical analysis of two decades of higher education and science and technology discourse in Finland, Germany, UK, Portugal and USA highlights the discursive elements that contribute to persuasiveness of policy, construe it as rational and logical, and create a sense of urgency in bringing it about. I argue that the analytical and hortatory registers of policy discourse foreground competitive and hierarchical relations of countries and their higher education systems. By construing certain state of affairs and courses of action as self-evidently desirable and true, they contribute to the emergence and reproduction of the neoliberal political rationality proposed by the Foucauldian governmentality theory.
TL;DR: In this paper, the formal status of administrative leaders at universities derived from higher education laws in Germany and occupational profiles of heads of university administrations based on a content-analysis of curriculum vitaes is analyzed.
Abstract: By analysing institutional changes of administrative leadership at German universities, this paper studies the construction of organizational boundaries as an important aspect of organizational transformation of universities as complete organizations. Building on an analysis of the formal status of administrative leadership at universities derived from higher education laws in Germany and occupational profiles of heads of university administrations based on a content-analysis of curriculum vitaes (N = 298), this paper seeks to contribute to a neglected domain in higher education research. It is argued that alterations to the formal status of administrative leaders from an ambivalent position between the ministry and the university to an integrated member of the university leadership can be seen as the embodiment of the construction of organizational boundaries vis-a-vis the state, whilst at the same time dissolving internal boundaries with regard to the former separation between academic and admin...
TL;DR: In 2014, the Erasmus Mundus programme was split into two parts: joint master's degrees now belong to education policy, and joint doctorates became a minor part of the Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In 2014 the institutionalization of European higher education and training, as well as research and innovation, policy entered a new phase: a number of financial instruments were simplified and merged. The Erasmus Mundus programme, wherein consortia of European and overseas universities built joint master's or doctoral degrees, was split into two parts: joint master's degrees now belong to education policy, and joint doctorates became a minor part of the Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. The programme illustrates how supranational institutions use ‘soft power' to harmonize policies. Using data from interim evaluations of two funding instruments, this article argues that the policy change marks the institutionalization of emerging concepts of European master and European doctorate as two distinct areas, not only different cycles of education. The master is constituted as individual investment, and the doctorate becomes a means to Lisbon (innovation and economy) more than Bologna (...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined university strategies from a content perspective and investigated to what degree the strategies conform to general content strategy frameworks, such as generic competitive strategies, strategic types, and value disciplines.
Abstract: This study examines university strategies from the content perspective. Since the early 1980s, the pressure to adopt strategic management in universities and other higher education institutions has increased because of issues including reduced public funding, pressures and possibilities for internationalization, developments in teaching technologies, and demands for increased accountability to stakeholders. The study employs content analysis and multivariate statistical techniques to examine the written strategies of 13 Finnish universities formulated after the University Act 2010 that aimed at enhancing their competitiveness in the global arena. The studied organizations cover practically Finland’s entire university sector. As a novel tool, the study introduces visual presentations of strategy and investigates to what degree the strategies conform to general content strategy frameworks, such as generic competitive strategies, strategic types, and value disciplines. The results indicate only light...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated whether the opportunity for professional educators to further their own university education represents, to them, a way of developing their teaching skills, a means of earning a higher salary (extrinsic motivation), or a means to increasing their usefulness to society through their involvement in education (altruistic motivation).
Abstract: Preparing candidates for the rigours of the teaching profession represents a major challenge for educational systems, begging the question of whether the opportunity for professional educators to further their own university education represents, to them, a way of developing their teaching skills (intrinsic motivation), a means of earning a higher salary (extrinsic motivation), or a means of increasing their usefulness to society through their involvement in education (altruistic motivation). This study aims at answering this question with regard to higher education institutions in the Wallonia–Brussels Federation in French-speaking Belgium, and, specifically, in the case of the University of Mons. That question is particularly relevant in this specific environment given that though continued university study is not compulsory for teachers, earning an additional degree does entitle those professionals to a higher salary. This study shows that while the decision to resume university study can be in...
TL;DR: This article examined how country-specific factors in receiving countries influence a highly skilled migrant's choice between several possible locations and found that migrants selecting Europe as a destination typically have more skills and increased access to resources, such as existing networks abroad, higher educational level or better language skills.
Abstract: This paper examines how country-specific factors in receiving countries influence a highly skilled migrant’s choice between several possible locations. While continental European countries recognize that attracting migrants is a key component of their economic strategies, it is unclear to what extent these immigration policies result in European countries performing better in the global competition for the skilled. Surveys of prospective migrants in India show that while European countries appear to be relatively attractive for educational purposes, European countries are not perceived as favourably for long-term stays. Relative to migrants selecting traditional immigration countries, migrants selecting Europe as a destination typically have more skills and increased access to resources, such as existing networks abroad, higher educational level or better language skills. With fewer long-term migration initiatives to Europe, immigration policies and destination country-specific factors, opportunit...
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study of the Croatian academic sector is presented, focusing on the state, importance, and role of research and higher education in the social and economic development of the country.
Abstract: This qualitative study relies on document analysis and in-depth, open-ended interviews with university leaders and government officials in a post-socialist and a recent European Union entrant country, Croatia. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the Croatian academic sector, as well as to unpack the top academic officials’ perceptions of the state, importance, and role of research and higher education (HE) in the social and economic development of the nation. The main theoretical contribution of the study is a new use of the traditional marginalism concept in the theory of economics. This study argues that marginalism can be applied to the HE setting, where it can be particularly helpful in explaining issues related to HE systems in the countries that have transitioned from socialist regimes to market economy. The new theoretical framework is termed academic marginalism.
TL;DR: In this article, four new members have joined the editorial board of the European Journal of Higher Education: Tatiana Fumasoli (Department of Education, University of Oslo and ARENA Europe, Barcelona, Spain).
Abstract: I am pleased to announce that four new members have joined the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Higher Education:Tatiana Fumasoli (Department of Education, University of Oslo and ARENA Ce...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the labour market dynamics behind the unparalleled demand in higher education and dragging growth rates in vocational high school (VHS) education in Turkey and found that the market premium (or penalty) to different majors can reflect not only differences in human capital but also shortages and surpluses in labour markets for different skills and majors.
Abstract: This paper aims to develop a better understanding about the labour market dynamics behind the unparalleled demand in higher education and dragging growth rates in vocational high school (VHS) education in Turkey. While estimating labour market outcomes of fields of study has been the subject of many studies in the West, such studies are lacking in Turkey. This study uses 2009–2012 Labour Force Surveys and reports wage differentials of majors for VHS and higher education separately and comparatively. This is important because the market premium (or penalty) to different majors can reflect not only differences in human capital but also shortages and surpluses in labour markets for different skills and majors. Understanding relative labour market outcomes of majors will help design policies for a better job-skill match in labour markets, which is a growing concern in Turkey.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: University of Zagreb, University Computing Centre (SRCE) has a central role in the systematic implementation of e-learning not only at the University but also outside of the University.
Abstract: University of Zagreb, University Computing Centre (SRCE) has a central role in the systematic implementation of e-learning not only at the University of Zagreb but also at other higher education institutions in the Republic of Croatia.
Providing a stable and rich Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for a large number of teachers and students is an extensive and challenging task. The process of setting up and maintaining a VLE consists out of three important components: software, infrastructure and user support. Each of these components is essential for a smooth running system and providing good user experience.
In this paper we will present our experience in building and maintaining a VLE at the University of Zagreb, University Computing Centre SRCE since 2007.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of the economic crisis on higher education (HE) dropout rates at Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG) were identified, after having controlled for individual characteristics, family background, High School and HE trajectories.
Abstract: This research aims to identify the effects of the economic crisis on higher education (HE) dropout rates at Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG) – Universidade de Lisboa, after having controlled for individual characteristics, family background, High School and HE trajectories. Our main hypothesis is that the economic crisis induces higher dropout rates. The research emphasizes that, in the context of the European crisis, social, economic and political context should be taken into account in the dropout analysis model, together with university and student behaviour determinants. To analyse the impact of the economic crisis on dropout rates, we use longitudinal data from the ISEG database, and apply statistical methodologies such as Chi-square tests for independence, and t-tests for the equality of means and proportions. Our main results point to the fact that the economic and social crisis has significantly affected the dropout rate of Portuguese students. Dropout during the crisis per...
TL;DR: In this paper, the emergence of international advisory councils (IACs) at universities around the world and the concept of internationalization of governance is discussed, and 20 members of different IACs and 6 representatives of universities hosting such structures are interviewed.
Abstract: This paper discusses the emergence of international advisory councils (IACs) at universities around the world and introduces the concept of internationalization of governance. Global trends in the field of higher education, such as the quest to create world-class universities and advance in global rankings, the rise of new public management, and internationalization have primed universities to create adjacent governing structures in the form of IACs. Primarily composed by international members, external to the university, IACs are positioned to offer advice on the strategic direction of the institution and its main challenges. In order to better understand this new phenomenon, we interviewed 20 members of different IACs and 6 representatives of universities hosting such structures. This paper presents the thematic analysis conducted on these interviews, answering questions about the composition, structures, modes of operation and effectiveness of IACs, as well as the motivations of members joining...