Article (Scientific journals)
University vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950–2010
Dusdal, Jennifer; Powell, Justin J W; Baker, David et al.
2020In Minerva: A Review of Science, Learning and Policy, 58 (3), p. 319-342
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Keywords :
Germany; University; Research institute; Research policy; Science production; STEM
Abstract :
[en] The world’s third largest producer of scientific research, Germany, is the origin of the research university and the independent, extra-university research institute. Its dual-pillar research policy differentiates these organizational forms functionally: universities specialize in advanced research-based teaching; institutes specialize intensely on research. Over the past decades this policy affected each sector differently: while universities suffered a lingering “legitimation crisis,” institutes enjoyed deepening “favored sponsorship”—financial and reputational advantages. Universities led the nation’s reestablishment of scientific prominence among the highly competitive European and global science systems after WWII. But sectoral analysis of contributions to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical and health journal publications (1950–2010) finds that Germany’s small to medium-sized independent research institutes have made significant, growing contributions, particularly in publishing in higher impact journals proportionally more than their size. Simultaneously—despite dual-pillar policy implications—the university sector continues to be absolutely and relatively successful; not eclipsed by the institutes. Universities have consistently produced two-thirds of the nation’s publications in the highest quality journals since at least 1980 and have increased publications at a logarithmic rate; higher than the international mean. Indeed, they led Germany into the global mega-science style of production. Contrary to assumed benefits of functional differentiation, our results indicate that relative to their size, each sector has produced approximately similar publication records. While institutes have succeeded, the larger university sector, despite much less funding growth, has remained fundamental to German science production. Considering these findings, we discuss the future utility of the dual-pillar policy.
Disciplines :
Sociology & social sciences
Author, co-author :
Dusdal, Jennifer ;  University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Education, Culture, Cognition and Society (ECCS)
Powell, Justin J W  ;  University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Education, Culture, Cognition and Society (ECCS)
Baker, David ;  The Pennsylvania State University > Department of Education Policy Studies
Fu, Yuan Chih;  National Taipei University of Technology > Graduate Institute of Technical and Vocational Education
Shamekhi, Yahya;  The Pennsylvania State University, > Department of Education Policy Studies
Stock, Manfred;  Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg > Institute of Sociology
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
University vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950–2010
Publication date :
07 February 2020
Journal title :
Minerva: A Review of Science, Learning and Policy
ISSN :
1573-1871
Publisher :
Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands
Volume :
58
Issue :
3
Pages :
319-342
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Focus Area :
Educational Sciences
Name of the research project :
Science Productivity, Higher Education, Research & Development, and the Knowledge Society
Funders :
Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP Grant No. 5-1021-5-159)
Available on ORBilu :
since 05 February 2020

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