From R&D Innovation to Academic Capitalism in Finland

Abstract

Higher education policy in Finland has shifted toward academic capitalism as an extension to new demands for competitiveness placed on higher education institutions. The Finnish Ministry of Education has been involved for some time in reforming the Finnish higher education system with the aim of increasing outputs in research innovations and laying the groundwork for academic capitalism. In other words, political guidance has sought to reform research as a qualitative change, rather than commit to increasing investment. Looking at the statistical indicators of Finnish research and development, particularly in the context of Finnish universities, shows how in practice Finland has introduced ideas of academic capitalism locally by moving away from basic funding into a more competition-driven funding system. Competitive logics are filtered down from the level of national higher education policy to university level through policy tools, such as performance-based funding. Furthermore, the Finnish system shows a relatively high susceptibility to political control, which can be viewed as a challenge to substantive academic autonomy.