Description
Book SynopsisThis major volume sheds light on the changing relationship between higher education and the economy in the major European nations. It is the outcome of extensive comparative research on higher education institutions and the economy in six European regions that were specifically chosen due to their similarities in terms of economic development: the English North West, Hesse in Germany, Rhone-Alpes in France, Lombardy in Italy, Catalunyia in Spain and the Netherlands. This unique comparative nature allows the authors to draw out the variations between regions and identify institutional differences.
Trade Review‘. . . there is a useful assemblage of information about the state of higher education systems in six major European countries and some interesting analyses of similarities and differences between them. I have benefited from reading it and would recommend it as introductory reading for masters and research students.’ -- Gareth Williams, London Review of Education
‘This book offers an analysis of the increasing influence of external demands on the dynamics of European higher education systems and institutions. It focuses on the growing openness of higher education to its external environment and suggests that a “market logic” has emerged in higher education institutions. In addition, the book addresses a number of crucial “drivers of change”, like the massification of higher education, the emergence of the “knowledge economy” and the Bologna Process. And it studies the roles and interests of various stakeholders. This book should be of interest to all those who are involved in higher education, whether as internal actors in institutions of higher education, or as its external clients and policy makers. It provides a relevant perspective on the current developments in European higher education and at the same time offers the conceptual tools to critically analyze these developments.’ -- Frans van Vught, President of the European Center for Strategic Management of Universities (Esmu) and former president of the University of Twente, the Netherlands
‘The book presents exciting comparative perspectives: how Italian scholars perceive and assess links between higher education and the economy. In-depth information is provided on issues not well documented in the past, e.g. the involvement of external actors in curriculum design, career services for students and links between governance and funding. The Milano-based team of scholars convincingly interpret the opportunities and problems of higher education reforms aiming to position higher education in the knowledge society.’ -- Ulrich Teichler, University of Kassel, Germany
‘European Universities and the Challenge of the Market
by Marino Regini offers a timely, refreshing and well-researched account of one of the most important changes in European (and other) higher education - the rise of competition and the market as key policy drivers. This is a global template whose diffusion and domestications are hugely important for higher education policy research and Regini’s book begins lucidly and insightfully to fill in longstanding gaps for us. Just as crucially the book provides valuable material on both the convergences and divergences we find increasingly between globally-situated higher education states.’ -- Roger King, Open University and London School of Economics, UK
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction: European Universities Meet the Market Marino Regini PART I: COMPARATIVE ANALYSES 1. Redesigning Curricula: The Involvement of Economic Actors Gabriele Ballarino 2. The Reorganization of Research Sabrina Colombo 3. Student Services and the Labour Market Renata Semenza 4. Funding, Assessment and Governance Loris Perotti 5. The Challenge of the Market Marino Regini PART II: COUNTRY STUDIES 6. UK: The University as Economic Actor Sabrina Colombo 7. The Netherlands: A Difficult Marketization Loris Perotti 8. Germany: Change through Continuity Gabriele Ballarino 9. Investing in Change: The Uneven Outcomes of French Higher Education Renata Semenza 10. Italy: Gradual Changes and an Uncertain Autonomy Gabriele Ballarino and Loris Perotti 11. Spain: Major Reforms and Mixed Performance Loris Perotti Conclusions: Where are European Universities Going? Marino Regini References Index
