Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Building Comparative Advantage in the Knowledge Society

Systemic Factors in Four Nordic Higher Education Systems

  • Chapter
Global Challenges, National Initiatives, and Institutional Responses

Part of the book series: Higher Education Research in the 21st Century Series ((CHER))

Abstract

The current position of knowledge in our societies is unprecedented (Pestre, 2003), not only as a consequence of economic evolution, but also because of social, technological and geo-spatial transformations. New societal challenges require leading-edge expertise; technology makes knowledge accessible, transmissible and open; and, the locus of knowledge moves from local and national to global networks (Välimaa, 2014).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aarrevaara, T., & Pekkola, E. (2010). A comparative perspective on the work content of the academic profession. In S. Ahola & D. Hoffman (Eds.), Higher education Finland (pp. 251–269). Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aghion, P. (2008). Higher education and innovation. Perspektiven der Wirtschafspolitik, 9(Special Issue), 28–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aghion, P., Dewatripont, M., Hoxby, C. M., Mas-Colell, A., & Sapir, A. (2009). The governance and performance of research universities: Evidence from Europe and the U.S (NBER Working Paper No. 14851). Retrieved from http://www.nber.org/papers/w14851.pdf?new_window=1

  • Altbach, P. G. (2004). The costs and benefits of world-class universities. Academe, 90(1), 20–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arter, D. (2008). Scandinavian politics today (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, M., & Kogan, M. (2006). Higher education policies: Historical overview. In M. Kogan, M. Bauer, I. Bleiklie, & M. Henkel (Eds.), Transforming higher education: A comparative study (2nd ed., pp. 25–38). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. S., Geer, B., & Hughes, E. C. (2003). Making the grade: The academic side of college life. New Brunswick, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benner, M. (2011). In search of excellence? An international perspective on governance of university research. In B. Göransson & C. Brundenius (Eds.), Universities in transition: The changing role and challenges for academic institutions (pp. 11–25). Ottawa: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bleiklie, I., & Kogan, M. (2007). Organization and governance of universities. Higher Education Policy, 20(4), 477–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloch, C., & Sørensen, M. P. (2014). The size of research funding: Trends and implications. Science and Public Policy, 42(1), 30–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1988). Homo academicus. Standford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1993). The field of cultural production: Essays on art and literature. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruen Olsen, T. (2014). Doctoral degree statistics – Norway: Tables and figures. Oslo: NIFU.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brundenius, C., Göransson, B., & Ågren, J. (2011). The role of academic institutions in the national system of innovation and the debate in Sweden. In B. Görasson & C. Brundenius (Eds.), Universities in transition: The changing role and challenges for academic institutions (pp. 307–325). Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cantwell, B., & Kauppinen, I. (2014). Academic capitalism in theory and research. In B. Cantwell & I. Kauppinen (Eds.), Academic capitalism in the age of globalization (pp. 3–10). Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derry, T. K. (1979). A history of Scandinavia. London: George Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esping-Andersen, G. (1999). Social foundations of postindustrial economies. Oxford: Oxford Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Esterman, T., Nokkola, T., & Steinel, M. (2011). University autonomy II: The scorecard. Brussels: European University Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2010). Science and technology – report. Special Eurobarometer 340(73.1). Brussels: TNS Opinion & Social.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritzell, J. (2001). Still different? Income distribution in the Nordic countries in an European comparison. In M. Kautto, J. Fritzell, B. Hvinden, J. Kvist, & H. Uusitalo (Eds.), Nordic welfare states in the European context (pp. 18–40). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, R., & Sá, C. M. (2008). Tapping the riches of science: Universities and the promise of economic growth. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gornitzka, A., & Langfeldt, L. (2008). Promoting interests, following rules, or learning from abroad. In A. Gornitzka & L. Langfeldt (Eds.), Borderless knowledge: Understanding the “New” internationalisation of research and higher education in Norway (pp. 141–153). Oslo: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, P. A., & Skoskice, D. (2001). Introduction. In Varieties of capitalism. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, P. A., & Skoskice, D. (2004). An introduction to varieties of capitalism. In P. A. Hall & D. Skoskice (Eds.), Varieties of capitalism: The institutional foundations of comparative advantage (pp. 1–69). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazelkorn, E. (2008). Learning to live with league tables and rankings: The experience of institutional leaders. Higher Education Policy, 21(1), 193–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hazelkorn, E. (2013). World-class universities or world-class systems? Rankings and higher education policy choices. In P. T. M. Marope, P. J. Wells, & E. Hazelkorn (Eds.), Rankings and accountability in higher education: Uses and misuses (pp. 71–94). Paris: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herstad, S. J., Bloch, C., Ebersberger, B., & van de Velde, E. (2010). National innovation policy and global open innovation: Exploring balances, tradeoffs and complementarities. Science and Public Policy, 37(2), 113–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, B. (1981). Comparative education: Some considerations of method. Boston, MA: George Allen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Immergut, E. M., & Anderson, K. M. (2008). Historical institutionalism and West European politics. West European Politics, 31(2), 345–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, H. S. (2007). Doctoral education in Denmark. In S. Powell & H. Green (Eds.), The doctorate worldwide. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessop, B. (2011). Rethinking the diversity of capitalism: Varieties of capitalism, variegated capitalism, and the world market. In G. Wood & C. Lane (Eds.), Capitalist diversity and diversity within capitalism (pp. 209–237). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalpazidou Schmidt, E. (2007). Higher education in Scandinavia. In J. F. Forest & P. G. Altbach (Eds.), International handbook of higher education (pp. 517–537). New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauppinen, I., & Kaidesoja,T. (2014). A shift towards academic capitalism in Finland. Higher Education Policy, 27(1), 23–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettunen, P. (2006). The power of international comparison – A perspective on the making and challenging of the Nordic welfare state. In N. F. Christiansen, K. Petersen, N. Edling, & P. Haave (Eds.), The Nordic model of welfare: A historical reappraisal (pp. 31–65). Copehangen: Museum Tusculanum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S. Y. (2013). Government R&D funding in economic downturns: Testing the varieties of capitalism conjecture. Science and Public Policy, 41(1), 107–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, R. (2009). Governing universities globally. Gheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kogan, M., & Marton, S. (2006). The state and higher education. In M. Kogan, M. Bauer, I. Bleiklie, & M. Henkel (Eds.). Transforming higher education: A comparative study (2nd ed., pp. 69–84). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kvil, T. (2004). The Norwegian quality reform: Will governance make a difference in higher education?. In I. Fägerling & G. Strömqvist (Eds.), Reforming higher education in the Nordic countries – Studies of change in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (pp. 89–135). Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) – UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyvik, S., & Thune, T. (2014). Assessing the quality of PhD dissertations – A survey of external committee members. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(5), 768–782. doi:10.1080/02602938.2014.956283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, E. Y., Liao, C. H., & Yen, H. R. (2013). Co-authorship networks and research impact: A social capital perspective. Research Policy, 42(9), 1515–1530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maassen, P., Vabø, A., & Stensaker, B. (2008). Translation of globalisation and regionalisation in Nordic cooperation in higher education. In A. Gornitzka & L. Langfeldt (Eds.), Borderless knowledge: Understanding the “New” internationalisation of research and higher education in Norway (pp. 125–140). Oslo: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Marginson, S. (2006). Putting ‘public’ back into the public university. Thesis Eleven, 84(1), 44–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marginson, S., & van der Wende, M. (2009). The new global landscape of nations and institutions. In Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (Ed.), Higher education to 2030, Volume 2: Globalisation (pp. 17–62). Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mok, K. H., & Chan, Y. (2008). International benchmarking with best universities: Policy and practice in Mainland China and Taiwan. Higher Education Policy, 21(1), 469–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Münch, R. (2014). Academic capitalism: Universities in the global struggle for excellence. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myklebust, J. P. (2013, May 18). Sharp rise in foreign PhD enrolments in Scandinavia. University World News, 272. Retrieved from http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20130516151544633

  • Nokkala, T., & Bladh, A. (2014). Institutional autonomy and academic freedom in the Nordic context – Similarities and differences. Higher Education Policy, 27(1), 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2014). Main science and technology indicators. Retrieved from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=MSTI_PUB

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, J., & Slaughter, S. (2014). Forms of capitalism and creating world-class universities. In A. Maldonado-Maldonado & R. M. Bassett (Eds.), The forefront of international higher education: A festschrift in honor of Philip G. Altbach (pp. 267–280). Drodrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pechar, H., & Andres L. (2011). Higher-education policies and welfare regimes: International comparative perspectives. Higher Education Policy, 24(1), 25–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pestre, D. (2003). Regimes of knowledge production in society: Towards a more political and social reading. Minerva, 41(3), 245–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinheiro, R. (2007). Restructuring efforts in higher education: An analysis of the use of Mergers since the 1980s in four OECD countries. Tampere: University of Tampere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K. (2005). The logic of scientific discovery. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potì, B., & Reale, E. (2007). Changing allocation models for public research funding: An empirical exploration based on project funding data. Science and Public Policy, 34(6), 417–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Royal Society. (2011). Knowledge, networks and nations: Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century. London, UK: Royal Policy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmi, J. (2009). The challenge of establishing world-class universities. Paris: World Bank Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G. (2004). Academic capitalism and the new economy. Baltimore, MD: The John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • SNAHE – Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. (2012). Swedish universities & universities colleges (Report 2012:18R). Stockholm: SNAHE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sörlin, S. (2007). Funding diversity: Performance-based funding regimes as drivers of differentiation in higher education systems. Higher Education Policy, 20(3), 413–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira, P. (2009). Mass higher education and private institutions. In OECD (Ed.), Higher education to 2030 (pp. 231–258), Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Unlicane, I. (2014). Why do international research collaborations last? Virtuous circle of feedback loops, continuity and renewal. Science and Public Policy, 42(3), 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Välimaa, J. (2001). A historical introduction to Finnish higher education. In J. Välimaa (Ed.), Finnish higher education in transition – Perspectives on massification and globalisation (pp. 1–31). Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, Institute for Educational Research

    Google Scholar 

  • Välimaa, J. (2005). Globalization in the concept of Nordic higher education. RIHE International Publication Series, 9, 93–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Välimaa, J. (2014). University revolutions and academic capitalism: A historical perspective. In B. Cantwell & I. Kauppinen (Eds.), Academic capitalism in the age of globalization (pp. 33–54). Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada

    Olivier Bégin-Caouette

Authors
  1. Olivier Bégin-Caouette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Porto, Portugal

    Cláudia Sarrico

  2. University of Porto, Portugal

    Pedro Teixeira

  3. University of Porto, Portugal

    António Magalhães

  4. University of Porto, Portugal

    Amélia Veiga

  5. University of Porto, Portugal

    Maria João Rosa

  6. University of Porto, Portugal

    Teresa Carvalho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bégin-Caouette, O. (2016). Building Comparative Advantage in the Knowledge Society. In: Sarrico, C., Teixeira, P., Magalhães, A., Veiga, A., Rosa, M.J., Carvalho, T. (eds) Global Challenges, National Initiatives, and Institutional Responses. Higher Education Research in the 21st Century Series. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-675-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-675-0_3

  • Publisher Name: SensePublishers, Rotterdam

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-6300-675-0

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation