Managing the Institutionalisation of Mode 2 Knowledge Production

Abstract

The combination of decreasing public allocations to universities with relevance pressure from both governments and private corporations has contributed to the rise of the phenomenon of Mode 2 knowledge production. Many Mode 2 researchers have been encouraged and stimulated to experiment with new forms of organizing the production of knowledge while remaining within the context of the traditional European university. This has resulted in the emergence of number of new institutional formats including university based research centers or institutes and long-term research programs have emerged. While there has been a lively debate about the transitions in the landscape of knowledge production, it has failed to address its organizational details. A detailed look at transition cases pushed forward by political programs promoting knowledge exchange between university and industry shows that the institutionalization of Mode 2 is accompanied by significant problems for the management of research and the production of knowledge.