Research Project: "Organisational, National and European Influences
on the Network Strategy and Network Capacity of Research Groups"

Overview

The project aim is to continue the micro-level-investigation of the influence of the internal and external governance of universities and research groups. In particular, research in this project addresses the question if (and if so - how) the current reforms in Germany (e.g. the claims for "profile sharpening", concentration and more co-operation of research groups) have an effect on network strategies and network capabilities (as intervening variables between governance variables) on the one hand and an effect on the performance of research groups (as dependent variable) on the other hand. Results from the first stage of this project show that it is useful to take networks, network strategies and their influence on the scientific performance as a starting point. At this stage further research will be conducted concerning the different production- and network logics of the three selected domains of science (on the basis of larger samples in co-operation with project Z2). Preliminary evidence supports the hypothesis of the existence of domain specific "economies of scale" for the size of the research group, the rate of third-party funding and the size and heterogeneity of networks. Based on these results, important advice for the research policy could be derived (e.g. the definition of proper criteria for evaluation and funding or sophisticated policies for different domains).

Further results from the first stage indicate that the adjustments of the research lines and the networks hardly rely on the reforms in the science system. A considerable effect can only be found for the funding policy of external actors (e.g. DFG, BMBF or EU).

As a result of the well-known latency of reforms, effects on network strategies can only be truly measured by a longitudinal design of the three central categories:

(1) internal & external governance,
(2) networks structures & network strategies and
(3) performance.

The central question focuses on the relation between network strategies and network capabilities on the one hand and the ability to design open networks as well as the ability to react on changing scientific-technological developments and research programmes on the other hand.

We expect the weak impact of the governance variables on the network strategies and structures to be - at least partly – a result of:

(1) the concatenation of internal and external governance and
(2) the low monetary incentive structure.

Current changes (Excellence Initiative, W-Salary of Professorships) could be suitable to dissolve the prevailing "consensus-culture" and induce a notable process of concentration and strategic network building on the micro level.

Furthermore the influence of external governance mechanisms in enhancing competition as well as the role of different funding programmess and their requirements will be taken into account.

The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is a member of the interdisciplinary research group "International competitiveness and innovative capacity of universities and research organizations – New forms of Governance".

Contact:

Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Dorothea Jansen

Telefon: 06232-654 364

Telefax: 06232-654 418

Mail: jansen@foev-speyer.de

Research Fellow

Regina von Goertz, M.A.

Mail: goertz@foev-speyer.de

Telefon: 06232-654 438

Telefax: 06232-654 418