Abstract
The basic elements of evidence-informed policymaking are the evaluation of existing research information, the acquisition of new research information, hearings of experts, and assessing alternative policy measures. In Finland the steering of public research is based on the procurement process where ministries are purchasers. This paper reports an interview with key persons from the structural development period of Finnish sectoral research (1990-2013). The competence needed from key actors in the steering of contract-based research is a multidimensional concept including sectoral, horizontal, and vertical components. This commissioning competence has evolved during the development period close to a complexity competence. The research management needs multidimensional knowledge, and the steering of the research requires skills in network governance and uncertainty management. Thus, it is not only research and sectoral competence that is needed from the administration, but also cross-sectoral, vertical and network management competence. The framework of the coordination and governance of complex research administration is introduced by applying the resilience concept.
Highlights
The basic elements of evidence-informed policymaking are the evaluation of existing research information, the acquisition of new research information, hearings of experts, and assessing alternative policy measures
This paper reports an interview with key persons from the structural development period of Finnish sectoral research (19902013)
The issue has been visible for thirty years, this is the first study on the commissioning competence needed to steer public research in Finland
Summary
Public spending for research and development is a tool for government policy in areas of science, technology, and innovation. The changes typically reduce the proportion of institutional funding and favour competitive project-based systems (Reale 2017). This process can be seen in Finland, where the sectoral public research, conducted in collaboration with ministries and carried out by research institutes, has formed the central part of societal expertise, development, and the service system. In Finland, this is done by the ministries and partly by large research funding agencies. It is like the purchase-provide model of purchasing but is more of a general and wider concept
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