The article analyses how steering and organisation of German and Norwegian universities have developed after both countries with Humboldtian university traditions introduced New Public Management-inspired governance reforms during the first decade of the 21st century. The article outlines different organisation ideals and values involved in…

This paper presents an empirical investigation into how universities approach the need and means for motivating university researchers through their management practices. The role of work motivation for this group deserves attention because pressures from outside and within the universities are said to have made university research less of a…

From the first time that humans drew together in learned groups of scholars and disciples, questions have been raised about the purpose, sustainability and values of such gatherings. The development of information technologies together with mass participation in Higher Education has sharpened disputes between innovation and tradition like never…

The article focuses on recent shifts in modes of coordination and the emerging drive towards new public management (NPM) in higher education and examines Lithuanian higher education policy as an example. It investigates the dynamics of the shift by exploring how stakeholders define the term and how, in turn, it influences the political agenda.…

Assesses the importance of rate-of-return (RoR) analysis for planning and policy making in higher education. Reviews methods used and discusses criticisms against RoR in relation to the screening function of education, the measurement of educational costs and benefits, and the pure effect of education on earnings. Recommends extension of RoR…

Focuses on the growth of the European Union and the subsequent pressure on nation states as it relates to higher education policy. Outlines some consequences of the European construction of higher education for Europe and higher education research. (SLD)

Discusses the uses and distortions that have been made over the years to the ideas about the university that Wilhelm von Humboldt advocated. Points out, however, that there remains much of value in the ideas articulated by Humboldt and his brother Alexander. (SLD)

Examines higher education reform in Estonia since 1988, discussing how over a few years "university education" was replaced by a much broader "postsecondary education." Explores related legislative reform, discussing its implications for higher education funding, content of studies, and governance. Suggests that recent reforms…

Focusing on the Netherlands, Belgium/Flanders, and Germany, explores whether higher education policies of European Union (EU) member states are converging, diverging, or not changing at all, and whether such developments are a consequence of the policies of the EU or of other factors (e.g., the globalization of the market or of institutions…

Faced with globalizing forces that promote universal approaches to knowledge and understanding, indigenous peoples have reacted by abandoning the old ways or alternately seeking to re-discover ancient wisdoms as foundations for pathways to the future. Increasingly, however, a third way has been to focus on the interface between indigenous…

Reports on the current status of higher education in Nigeria and reviews the country's new policy initiatives in this context. The discussion gives particular attention to issues of access, teaching/learning, finance, and governance/management. (EV)

Explores lifelong learning in China, asserting that it is a core concept of modern education but little practiced there. Drawing on examples from other countries, addresses forces behind the rise of lifelong learning (such as the knowledge economy), the role of universities, relevant course structure and teaching methods, the concept of recurrent…

Examines policy issues surrounding the accommodation of increased Israeli demand for higher education, comparing the country with Canada, which has also been considering whether to permit private higher education institutions. Concludes that academic colleges in Israel have been successful in absorbing a huge increase in enrollment, while…

Examines government higher education policy and Japanese higher education reform in the globalization and post-massification eras. Explores the effects of market mechanisms on Japanese higher education policy, the kinds of phenomena that have emerged in this period, and the impact of the government policy shift on Japanese higher education. (EV)

Both in the Netherlands and Flanders, the lack of efficiency in the supply of programmes in the university sectors was considered a policy problem in the late 1980s and beginning of the 1990s. This article explores how the institutional context of the university sector (including the governmental steering model and the conflicting interests…