The study examining the experiences of six Finnish higher education institution groups assessed the operational and economic impact of the group structure. The findings highlight both the perceived benefits of collaboration and the challenges associated with assessing the impact of the group structure.
According to the study carried out by the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) of the University of Jyväskylä, higher education institution groups have strengthened collaboration between higher education institutions and changed their operating culture. The study covered the Lapland University Consortium, the Oulu University Group, the Tampere Universities Community, LUT Universities, the Vaasa Higher Education Consortium and the Jyväskylä Higher Education Group. The material consisted of interviews with the leadership and student representatives of the involved higher education institutions as well as institutional documents, particularly strategies, annual reports and performance agreements.
The study found that local and regional collaboration among higher education institutions predates the establishment of the group structures. However, according to the interviewees, the earlier agreement-based forms of collaboration had not produced the desired results.
“The transition to a group structure has brought about a qualitative change in collaboration between higher education institutions. Collaboration is no longer limited to contractual arrangements and predefined goals, but is increasingly reflected in a shared mindset and day-to-day operating culture,” says Project Researcher Santeri Heikkilä.
The group structure was designed to enable deeper and more flexible collaboration between higher education institutions. Concrete examples include shared services and flexible education paths between the institutions.
The group structure has also enabled a broader range of expertise that responds to regional needs, whilst also strengthening joint development among higher education institutions. Rather than competing with one another, the institutions have increasingly begun to build their activities around common goals.
In terms of economic impact, the interviewees pointed out that the formation of a group structure requires investments in the initial phase. However, in the longer term, it was expected to curb the increase in costs, in particular by making use of shared services and facilities.
The impact of the group structure is intertwined with other developments
However, assessing the impact of the group structure is not straightforward. The interviewees pointed out that a clear-cut assessment is difficult because it is not known how the higher education institutions would have evolved and operated without the group structure. This makes it difficult to distinguish the added value generated by the group structure from other changes in the operating environment and simultaneous developments.
The study was carried out as part of the preparations for collaboration between higher education institutions in eastern Finland. Its aim is to provide information to support preparation and decision-making. The study was carried out independently and impartially, and it does not take a position on any specific organisational arrangements.
Further information:
Project Researcher Santeri Heikkilä, University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 50 464 6553
Research Professor Terhi Nokkala, University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 40 805 4270
Read the study:
- Heikkilä, Santeri; Ursin, Jani & Nokkala, Terhi: Perceived economic and operational impact of higher education institution groups (PDF file, only in Finnish)
- Webinar recording (A recording will be published of the webinar with English subtitles in week 46.)
