Research for Whom? Research Orientations in Three Academic Cultures

In response to charges that the organization, practice, & values of research conducted at universities are undergoing substantial changes in response to demands for new forms of knowledge production, presented here are interview data on the research orientations of senior researchers at three academic units in Finland. These researchers describe four primary orientations -- academic, civil society, state-governmental, & entrepreneurial -- the balance between which is subject to tensions & the influence of outside interests, eg, those of financial backers. Difficulties encountered in attempts to combine orientations are identified, & researchers report negative feelings about this situation. 1 Table, 16 References. K. Hyatt Stewart