1,720,986 research outputs found
Rethinking the Open Method of Coordination: Mutual Learning Initiatives Shaping the European Research Enterprise
No full textSince 2000, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) has become a policy approach increasingly used in the European policy making process. By focusing on research policy, this study examines the ways in which the OMC and the mutual learning initiatives have influenced the wider policy discourse in the European Union. The paper argues that it is important to think about the contributions of the OMC in research policy in more broad and fundamental ways. This theory-guided study takes an empirical approach to the OMC, providing significant evidence on mutual learning effects analyzed in terms of developing an authentic dialogue, shaping policy discourse, shaping policy networks and facilitating collaborative learning. The analysis reveals that the OMC changes the ways in which the representatives from the Member States and the European Commission contribute to research policy, leading to a promising foundation for further policy enhancement
Mirroring Society? Tracing the Logic of Diversity in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education
Full text linkDiversity and equity have become central themes of institutional planning in Canadian post-secondary institutions. The complexity and variance of such activities, and their disconnect from individual experiences, are inherently related to the social norms established by the dominant cultural group. This article argues that published research articles play an important role in reflecting how organizational norms are understood and institutionalized. To trace the normative shifts in how diversity has been addressed in research articles, a systematic analysis of over 186 peer-reviewed articles published in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education between 1971 and 2020 was performed. The findings demonstrate that the concept of diversity has evolved from being examined in narrow binary categories of socio-economic, language, and gender diversity to a more recent focus on intersectionality. The shift from diversity being an issue of individual concern to diversity being a core institu-tional responsibility closely related to student learning is apparent. The article ends with recommendations for future areas of research with specific calls made to increased uptake of critical approaches to diversity for more nuanced perspectives of our accepted social norms in Canadian higher education.La diversité et l’équité sont devenues des thèmes centraux de la planification institutionnelle des établissements postsecon-daires canadiens. La complexité et la variance de ces activités, ainsi que leur déconnexion des expériences individuelles, sont intrinsèquement liées aux normes sociales établies par le groupe culturel dominant. Cet article soutient que les études publiées jouent un rôle de représentation important, reflétant la manière dont les normes organisationnelles sont comprises et institutionnalisées. Afin de retracer les changements normatifs dans la façon dont la diversité a été abordée dans des travaux de re-cherche, une analyse systématique de plus de 186 articles publiés dans la Revue canadienne d’enseignement supérieur entre 1971 et 2020 a été réalisée. Les résultats montrent que le concept de diversité a évolué d’un examen des catégories binaires étroites de diversité socio-économique, linguistique et de genre à un accent plus récent sur l’intersectionnalité. Le passage de la diversité comme question d’intérêt individuel à la diversité comme responsabilité institutionnelle fondamentale, étroitement liée à l’apprentissage des étudiants et étudiantes, est évident. Cet article se termine avec des recommandations pour de futurs domaines de recherche, avec des appels particuliers pour une adoption accrue des approches critiques de la diversité afin d’avoir des perspectives plus nuancées des normes sociales acceptées dans l’enseignement supérieur canadien
Expertise and Policy Learning - The Case of the European Union's Research Policy
No full textThis thesis examines policy learning and expertise in the European Union research policy by focusing on the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) initiative. The research is guided by the overarching question - How do experts’ individual policy learning experiences relate to the EU’s research policy? First, background of the European Union’s research policy is presented, clarifying the need for policy learning. Second, the theoretical approaches on expertise and theories of policy learning are analyzed. The synthesis of the two streams of literature leads to a conceptual framework for the study, featuring two distinct perspectives of policy learning – the evidence-based approach and the value-based approach. This framework brings the individual experiences of the OMC participants into focus, allowing an examination of policy processes that do not always result in direct policy changes. For data collection three distinct OMC working groups are selected, each focusing on a different topic related to European research policy – research funding (Group 1), research cooperation with Third Countries (Group 2) and research activities in universities (Group 3). A case study approach is employed, involving document analysis, a pilot study and thirty-four interviews with member-states’ experts and European Commission policy-makers. The findings suggest that individual policy learning shapes the development of European research policy. Through the OMC policy learning initiatives participants gain new knowledge on policy approaches, programs, best practices and policy failures. In addition, learning experiences involve knowledge on individual relationships, decision-making styles, organizational cultures and power-relationships that diverse stakeholders bring with them to the process. Such knowledge helps to update the policy beliefs of participants, providing a strong foundation for developing mutual ownership of decisions that lead to policy coordination. The findings emphasize the importance of a value-based perspective in policy analysis, where results emerge gradually, over a long time period and contribute to policy change.Ph
Informing Canadian Innovation Policy Through a Decolonizing Lens on Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Full text linkWhile Indigenous entrepreneurship is associated with significant economic promise, Indigenous innovation continues to be invisible in Canadian policy contexts. This article examines how Indigenous entrepreneurial activities are framed in government policy, potentially leading to another wave of active exploitation of Indigenous lands, peoples, and knowledges. The article first discusses the concepts of Indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation through a decolonizing lens, drawing links to education. Then, it provides a set of rationales for why governments need to re-think and prioritize Indigenous entrepreneurship. Next, it maps the current federal government initiatives in this policy sector. Drawing from the Indigenous entrepreneurship ecosystem approach (Dell & Houkamau, 2016; Dell et al., 2017), the article argues that a more comprehensive policy perspective guiding Indigenous entrepreneurship programs should inform Canadian innovation policy. Individual voices from 13 Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba point to three core issues: (a) relationships with the land and the community; (b) the relevance of (higher) education and training; and (c) the importance of cultural survival and self-determination. The article makes an argument for a systemic decolonizing change in how Indigenous innovation is approached in government policyand programs, supported by the work of higher education institutions.Alors que l’entrepreneuriat autochtone est associé à une promesse économique importante, l’innovation autochtone est toujours invisible dans le contexte des politiques publiques canadiennes. Cet article examine la manière dont les activités entrepreneuriales autochtones sont encadrées dans les politiques publiques, laquelle risque de provoquer une autre vague d’exploitation des terres, des peuples et des connaissances autochtones. Dans un premier temps, l’article discute des concepts d’entrepreneuriat et d’innovation autochtones sous l’angle de la décolonisation et établit des liens avec l’éducation. Ensuite, il fournit un ensemble de justifications expliquant pourquoi les gouvernements doivent repenser et prioriser l’entrepreneuriat autochtone. Enfin, il recense les initiatives actuelles du gouvernement fédéral dans ce secteur. S’inspirant de l’approche écosystémique de l’entrepreneuriat autochtone (Dell et Houkamau, 2016; Dell et al., 2017), cet article soutient qu’une politique publique plus complète pour orienter les programmes d’entrepreneuriat autochtone devrait éclairer la politique d’innovation canadienne. Les voix individuelles de 13 entrepreneurs autochtones du Manitoba permettent de souligner trois enjeux fondamentaux : 1) les relations avec la terre et la communauté; 2) la pertinence de l’enseignement (supérieur) et de la formation; 3) l’importance de la survie culturelle et de l’autodétermination. Cet article plaide en faveur d’un changement décolonisant systémique dans la façon dont l’innovation autochtone devrait être abordée dans les programmes gouvernementaux et les politiques publiques, avec l’appui des établissements d’enseignement supérieur
Who governs the internationalization of higher education? A comparative analysis of macro-regional policies in Canada and the European Union
No full textThe internationalization of higher education has become a politically strategic and economically promising policy area. As a result, the traditional authority and governance boundaries related to internationalization are becoming fluid. This paper focuses on the macro-regional internationalization strategies in Canada and the European Union (EU) in order to understand the changing dynamics of internationalization governance. By applying multi-level governance theory, the paper analyses and compares how internationalization is understood at the macro-regional level, revealing fundamental differences in the normative values. The findings indicate that while Canada is formulating an aggressive marketization approach to benefit from the intensified global competition, the EU is endorsing a more comprehensive student-centered approach focusing on quality and balanced partnerships. The discussion section elaborates on the strengths and weaknesses of the use of multi-level governance theory
An Analysis of the Factors that Enhance Participation in European University Networks - A Case Study of the University of Tartu, Estonia
Full text linkThe thesis provides an analysis, from the institutional perspective, of the factors that are contributing towards mutually beneficial participation in European University Networks. Previous research about institutional networks has concentrated on the networks' perspective on beneficial operational factors. Joining institutional university networks has been stated to be a recent strategic trend in Europe. Therefore it is important to provide detailed data from the institutional point of view to enable other institutions to make informed decisions about joining such networks. The University of Tartu provides an interesting case study on its experience of participation in the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network. Strategic management theory was used as a theoretical framework for this analysis. Relevant documents were reviewed. Twenty three e-mail interviews were conducted among the University of Tartu administrators, faculty members and representatives of both networks. Ten cross-cutting themes were identified as having impact on network participation.MAS
An Analysis of the Factors that Enhance Participation in European University Networks - A Case Study of the University of Tartu, Estonia
No full textThe thesis provides an analysis, from the institutional perspective, of the factors that are contributing towards mutually beneficial participation in European University Networks. Previous research about institutional networks has concentrated on the networks' perspective on beneficial operational factors. Joining institutional university networks has been stated to be a recent strategic trend in Europe. Therefore it is important to provide detailed data from the institutional point of view to enable other institutions to make informed decisions about joining such networks. The University of Tartu provides an interesting case study on its experience of participation in the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network. Strategic management theory was used as a theoretical framework for this analysis. Relevant documents were reviewed. Twenty three e-mail interviews were conducted among the University of Tartu administrators, faculty members and representatives of both networks. Ten cross-cutting themes were identified as having impact on network participation.MAS
International Education in Manitoba: Exploring Leadership Practices in Policy Contexts
Full text linkInternational education has become an increasingly important, yet complex policy sector in Canada. With shared responsibilities and competing interests across governments and educational institutions, the need for policy coordination emerges. This study focuses on the province of Manitoba and its policy coordination practices across K-12 educational stakeholders. Drawing on the concept of distributed leadership, a framework is proposed to examine policy processes focusing on the dynamics of 1) actors - leaders versus followers and their context-specific situations; 2) process - examining collaboration and cooperation through interdependence of activities; and 3) outcomes understood as evidence of policy change or organizational change leading to improved learning experiences of students. Data for this study was collected through a qualitative case study approach applying document analysis and semi-structured interview techniques. Findings suggest that leadership practices go beyond single institutional structure, having increasingly a shared nature involving school administrators, governments and membership organizations. Characteristics such as shared stakeholder interests, formal power position and interdependence of resources play an important role in fostering the distributive leadership practices in policy contexts
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