The Transformation of University Institutional and Organizational Boundaries

One emerging issue in higher education studies is the extent to which the transformations affecting the organizations, the institutions and the academic profession produce effects on the institutional and organizational boundaries. Several signals of shifting boundaries can be envisaged in higher education and research institutions, such as the replacement of permanent positions for researchers by temporary contracts, the involvement of firms with research groups and university boards, new alliances, collaborations and networking with non-academic organizations (e.g. public or private research organizations, firms), as well as universities participating in private companies or agencies. The analysis of boundaries also supplies interpretative frameworks for the interactions between the development of professions and disciplines, as well as the relationships of the science with various parts of society such as state, professionals and the market. So it is useful for fuelling further discussion to point out some characteristics of boundaries and their relevance in higher education.