Abstract
Economy- and technology-driven theories dominate current explanations of social change. The political orientations of the European Union and many of its member states are increasingly based on the idea of knowledge economy where public organisations move towards market-orientation. Among the other producers of knowledge, universities are expected to become part of the innovation system where innovation stands for product making and the final goal is to contribute to the international competitiveness of the national economy.
This study focuses on the complicated role of public universities as adaptors of market forces logic. The focus of attention is on the reorientations that Finnish universities have made in terms of commodification. At the same time universities have elaborated new aggressive strategies in order to strengthen their scientific basis and to distance themselves from the demands for new managerialism. One of the key problems in this process is related to the difficulties to integrate the two traditional university functions into the third one, i.e. commercialisation. We make some observations concerning EU policies, but concentrate mostly on changes that have taken place during recent decades in Finland by analysing market-orientation in three Helsinki area universities.
In the context of current technology policy, all disciplines have been seen as potential contributors to market competition. However, social sciences produce knowledge that cannot be classified by using pure economic concepts. To sharpen our analysis of market-orientation we study three social science departments at the respective three universities. This analysis indicates the importance of scientific identity as a component of market-orientation. It also shows the importance of contextual issues and the tensions that arise between scientific and commercial orientations.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Academy of Finland (2001). Annual Report.Helsinki.
Academy of Finland (2003). Scientific Research in Finland. A Review of Its Quality and Impact in the Early 2000s.Publications of the Academy of Finland 10/03.Helsinki.Acatiimi 2/2004
E. Allardt (1995) Suunnistuksia ja kulttuurisokkeja Otava Keuruu
E. Allardt (1998) ArticleTitle‘Teknologiapolitiikka suomalaisen todellisuuden konstruoimisen välineenä’ Tiede & Edistys 2 85–95
A. Amaral G. Jones B. Karseth (Eds) (2002) Governing Higher Education: Comparing National Perspectives Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht
D. Bell (1973) The Coming of Post-Industrial Society. A Venture in Social Forecasting Basic Books New York
M. Bertilsson (2002) ArticleTitle‘Disorganised knowledge or new forms of governance?’ Science Studies 2 3–16
Blair, T. and Schröder, G. (1999). Europe: The Third Way / Die Neue Mitte. (http:/www.labour.org.uk/views/index.html).
Cabinet programmes in Finland 1995; 1999; 2003.
M. Castells (2000) The Rise of the Network Society. The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture NumberInSeriesVol. I Blackwell Publishers Oxford
M. Castells P. Himanen (2001) Suomen tietoyhteiskuntamalli WSOY Helsinki
B. R. Clark (1995) Places of Inquiry: Research and Advanced Education in Modern Universities University of California Press Berkeley & Los Angeles
E. Cresson (1997) ArticleTitle‘Preface’ The IPTS Report 19 1–2
R. Deem (2001) ArticleTitle‘Globalisation, new managerialism, academic capitalism and entrepreneurism in universities: is the local dimension still important?’ Comparative Education 37 IssueID1 27–20 Occurrence Handle10.1080/03050060020020408
D. Dickson (1999) ArticleTitle‘Britain excels in academic capitalism’ Nature Medicine 5 IssueID2 131–132 Occurrence Handle10.1038/5484
EFMD (1995). Strategic Audit. Helsinki School of Economics.
A. Eskola (1997) Jäähyväisluentoja Tammi, Hanki ja Jää Hämeenlinna
Espoo (2002). Espoo strategia 2002–2004.
European Commission (1995). Green Paper on Innovation. December.
InstitutionalAuthorNameEuropean Commission (1998) The Globalising Learning Economy: Implications for Innovation Policy European Communities Luxemburg
European Commission (2001). Commission Recommendation for the 2001 Broad Guidelines of the Economic of the Member States and the Community.Brussels: 24.5.2001, COM (2001) 224 final.
European Commission (2003). Third European Report on Science and Technology Indicators 2003. Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. Brussels.
H. Etzkowitz (1995) ArticleTitle‘The norms of entrepreneurial science: Cognitive effects of new university-industry linkages’ Research Policy 8 823–833
H. Etzkowitz A. Webster P. Healey (1998) Capitalizing Knowledge: New Intersections of Industry and Academia State University of New York Press Albany N.Y.
O. Fulton (2002) ‘Higher education governance in the UK: Change and continuity’ A. Amaral G. Jones B. Karseth (Eds) Governing Higher Education: Comparing National Perspectives Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht 205–229
M. Gibbons et al. (1994) The New Production of Knowledge: The Dynamics of Science and Research in Contemporary Societies Sage London
K. Helkama R. Myllyniemi K. Liebkind (1998) Johdatus Sosiaalipsykologiaan Edita Helsinki
T. Hellström S. Raman (2001) ArticleTitle‘ ȁ8The commodification of knowledge-about-knowledge: Knowledge management and the reification of epistemology’ Social Epistemology 15 IssueID3 139–154
Helsingin kaupunki (1998). ‘Helsingin elinkeinopoliittinen ohjelma’, Helsingin kaupunginkanslia, talous- ja suunnitteluosasto, Julkaisusarja A,11/1998.
InstitutionalAuthorNameHelsinki School of Economics (2001) Vuosikertomus Yliopistopaino Helsinki
Helsinki School of Economics (2002): Toiminnan perusta: arvot. (http://hkkk.fi/netcomm/venue/venue_index.asp?lan=FIN&level11=961).
Helsinki University of Technology (2001). Toiminta- ja taloussuunnitelma 2003-2006,http://www.hut.fi.Yksikot/kehittamisyksikko/TTS2003-2006/01.htm.
Helsinki University of Technology (2003). Lausunto yliopistolain muuttamisesta. 642/03/03. 27.10.2003.
M. Häyrinen-Alestalo (1999) ArticleTitle‘The university under the pressure of innovation policy – reflecting some European and Finnish experiences’ Science Studies 1 44–69
M. Häyrinen-Alestalo (2001) ArticleTitle‘Is knowledge-based society a relevant strategy for civil society?’ Current Sociology 6 203–218
M. Häyrinen-Alestalo K. Snell U. Peltola (2000) ‘Pushing universities to market their products: Redefinitions of academic activities in Finland’ R. Kalleberg F. Engelstad G. Brochmann A. Leira L. Mjoset (Eds) Comparative Perspectives on Universities and Production of Knowledge. Comparative Social Research 19 Jai Press Stamford 165–212
M. Häyrinen-Alestalo E. Kallerud (2004) ‘Introduction: Towards a biotech society – nordic perspectives’ M. Häyrinen-Alestalo E. Kallerud (Eds) Mediating Public Concern in Biotechnology. A Map of Sites, Actors and Issues in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden Nifu Oslo 7–22
Häyrinen-Alestalo, M., Pelkonen, A. and Snell, K. (2004). New Technologies Challenging Old Structures of Governance. STAGE Finnish Anchoring Case. Forthcoming.
M. Häyrinen-Alestalo K. Snell (2004) ‘Market orientations and mediation of public opinions in Finnish Biotechnology’ M. Häyrinen-Alestalo E. Kallerud (Eds) Mediating Public Concern in Biotechnology. A Map of Sites, Actors and Issues in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden Nifu Oslo 49–82
M. Jacob (2001) ArticleTitle‘Managing the institutionalisation of mode 2 knowledge production’ Science Studies 14 IssueID2 83–100
M. Jacob (2003) ArticleTitle‘Rethinking science and commodifying knowledge’ Policy Futures in Education 1 IssueID1 125–142 Occurrence Handle10.2304/pfie.2003.1.1.3
Jääskeläinen, K. and West, H. (1995). Helsinki Science Park. RITTS Project,SPRINT Programme, Phase One.
K. Kankaala E. Kaukonen P. Kutinlahti T. Lemola M. Nieminen J. Välimaa (2004) Yliopistojen kolmas tehtävä? Sitran julkaisusarja 264 Edita Helsinki
Kasanen, E. (2003). Autonomian aika. Rehtorin avajaispuhe. Helsinki School of Economics. (http://www.hkkk.fi/netcomm/search/frameWaker.asp?ArticleID=1466 &ElementID=3393&LAN=FIN&ArticleType=0).
H. Koski P. Rouvinen P. Ylä-Anttila (2001) Uuden talouden loppu? Taloustieto Helsinki
A. Lahti (1999) Kasvuyrityksen tai voittajayrityksen talousoppi Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu Helsinki
R. Miettinen (2003) National Innovation System. Scientific Concept or Political Rhetoric Edita Helsinki
Ministry of Education (2003a). Koulutus ja tutkimus vuosina 2003-2008. Kehittämissuunnitelma.Koulutus- ja tiedepolitiikan osasto. 22.8.2003.
Ministry of Education (2003b). Ehdotus yliopistolaiksi. 49/010/2003, 17.9.2003
Ministry of Education (2004): Kota Data base. (http://www.csc.fi/kota/kota.html).
InstitutionalAuthorNameMinistry of Trade and Industry (1996) Teollisuuspoliittinen visio – maailmanpoliittisesta murroksesta kestävään kasvuun. Kauppa- ja Teollisuusministeriön julkaisuja 2 Edita Helsinki
Ministry of Trade and Industry (2001). ‘Elinkeinopolitiikka uudessa taloudessa’, Kauppa- ja Teollisuusministeriön julkaisuja,6.
Ministry of Trade and Industry (2003). Toimintakertomus 2003. Helsinki. (www.ktm.fi/toimintakertomus_2003).
National Technology Agency of Finland (2002). Ylihuomisen kilpailukyky ratkaistaan tänään. Teknologiarahoituksen tulokset ja vaikutukset.Helsinki.
Nieminen, M. (2004). Academic Research in Change – Transformation of Finnish University Policy and University Research During the 1990s. Dissertation manuscript. University of Tampere.
Niiniluoto, I. (2003). Dynaaminen sivistysyliopisto. Rehtorin avajaispuhe 10.9.2003. University of Helsinki. (http://yliopistolehti.helsinki.fi/2003_12/avajaispuhe.html).
Niskanen, Pirjo (2000). Opportunities and Tensions in Public-Private Research Collaboration. The Case of Finnish Participation in EU Research Collaboration. Licentiate Thesis submitted in Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki.
H. Nowotny P. Scott M. Gibbons (2001) Rethinking Science. Knowledge and the Public in the Age of Uncertainty Polity Press Cambridge
OECD (2002): Science, Technology and Industry Outlook. Paris.
J. Owen-Smith W.W. Powell (2002) ArticleTitle‘Standing on shifting terrain: Faculty responses to the transformation of knowledge and its uses in the life sciences’ Science Studies 15 IssueID1 3–28
Patent Act 550/1967. Finland.
Pelkonen, A. (2001). Yliopistot innovaatiopolitiikan toteutta**a. Kaupalliset välittäjäorganisaatiot ja akateeminen tutkimus. Master’s Thesis submitted in University of Helsinki, Department of Sociology.
Pelkonen, A. (2003). ‘New technologies as capital region strategies in Finland’, in Riukulehto, S. (ed.), New Technologies and Regional Development. Seinäjoki Institute for Rural Research and Training. Series A: 6. Seinäjoki: University of Helsinki.
M. Reed (2002) ‘New managerialism, professional power and organisational governance in UK universities: A review and assessment’ A. amaral G.A. Jones B. Karseth (Eds) Governing Higher Education: National Perspectives on Institutional Governance Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht 163–186
S. Sassen (2001) The Global City Princeton University Press New York, London, Tokyo, New Jersey
InstitutionalAuthorNameScience and Technology Policy Council (2000) Katsaus 2000: Tiedon ja osaamisen haasteet Tiede- ja teknologianeuvosto Helsinki
InstitutionalAuthorNameScience and Technology Policy Council (2003) Osaaminen, innovaatiot ja kansainvälistyminen Edita Helsinki
J. Senker (2001) ArticleTitle‘Changing organisation of public-sector research in Europe – implications for benchmarking human resources in RTD’ Science and Public Policy 28 IssueID4 227–284
S. Slaughter L. Leslie (1997) Academic Capitalism: Politics, Policies and the Entrepreneurial University Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore
K. Snell (2001) ArticleTitle‘Weakening the connection between education and research: A study of three university departments’ Science Studies 1 26–44
K. Sørensen N. Levold (1992) ArticleTitle‘Tacit networks, heterogeneous engineers and embodied technology’ Science, Technology & Human Values 17 IssueID1 13–35
A. Touraine (1995) Critique of Modernity Mass., Blackwell Cambridge
Tuomi, O. and Pakkanen, P. (2002). Towards Excellence in Teaching. Publications of the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council 18. University of Helsinki.
A. Tupasela (2000) ArticleTitle‘Intellectual property rights and licensing: can centralized technology transfer save public research?’ Science Studies 2 3–22
A. Tupasela (2002) ‘Meeting governmental demands? research groups as economic engines’. Technology, Society, Environment 2 Helsinki University of Technology Laboratory of Environmental Protection Publication Espoo 33–46
Tuunainen, Juha (2004). ‘Hybrid practices? Contributions to the debate on the mutation of science and university.’ Forthcoming.
University of Helsinki (1994). Helsingin yliopiston rehtorin asettaman varainhankintatyöryhmän muistio’, Helsingin yliopiston toimikuntien mietintöjä ja selvityksiä 6.
InstitutionalAuthorNameUniversity of Helsinki (2000) Research Assessment Exercise 1999. Evaluation projects of the University of Helsinki 6 University of Helsinki Helsinki
University of Helsinki (2002a). Helsingin Yliopiston Toimintakertomus 2001.Helsinki.
University of Helsinki (2002b). Kampustyöryhmä, 11.3.2002. Helsinki.
InstitutionalAuthorNameUniversity of Helsinki (2003) Strategic Plan for the Years 2004-2006 Yliopistopaino Helsinki
R. Whitle (1988) ArticleTitle‘Management sciences and management skills’ Organizational Studies 1 47–68
J. Ziman (1996) ArticleTitle‘Postacademic science: Constructing knowledge with networks and norms’ Science Studies 1 67–80
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Häyrinen-Alestalo, M., Peltola, U. The Problem of a Market-oriented University. High Educ 52, 251–281 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-2749-1
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-2749-1