A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Nested hybridity and value definition in public higher education : a conceptual view (2021)

Pekkola, E., Pinheiro, R. M., Geschwind, L., Siekkinen, T., Carvalho, T., & Pulkkinen, K. (2021). Nested hybridity and value definition in public higher education : a conceptual view. In J. Vakkuri, & J.-E. Johanson (Eds.), Hybrid Governance, Organisations and Society : Value Creation Perspectives (pp. 59-80). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429286247-6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Pekkola, Elias; Pinheiro, Rómulo Miguel; Geschwind, Lars; Siekkinen, Taru; Carvalho, Teresa; Pulkkinen, Kirsi

Parent publication: Hybrid Governance, Organisations and Society : Value Creation Perspectives

Parent publication editors: Vakkuri, Jarmo; Johanson, Jan-Erik

ISBN: 978-0-367-22211-6

eISBN: 978-0-429-28624-7

Publication year: 2021

Pages range: 59-80

Number of pages in the book: 268

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429286247-6

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

In this article, we explore multilevel hybridity in higher education (HE) systems, particularly the effects of marketisation on publicly funded universities. Based on current literature, we analyse how government policies and mechanisms nurture the hybrid-operating context of universities, as well as how policies and organisational and professional practices create new hybrid positions in the HE organisational field and influence academic leaders’ positions. We introduce the concept of nested hybridity, where systems at different levels are embedded and interconnected. Many changes either foster or hinder hybridity not only at national or organisational levels but also at professional practices and work descriptions level. Applying Noordegraaf’s (2015) levels of professional work, we describe work in an academic community as the microsystem, the organisation of academic work in work descriptions and managerial dyads as the mesosystem, institutional logics and policies as the exosystem and the HE system as the macrosystem. Hybrid logics of value definition and production involve a competition between formal and substantive rationalities. Positions and work descriptions of academics, para-academics and other professionals in HE institutions are not the entities in which the value is created. However, the work descriptions form the nucleus for the definition of organisational value-creation processes. New types of professional practices embodied in work descriptions and positions cement the authority structure in the organisational value-creation process. The hybridity of different substantive rationalities or the alignment of formal and substantive rationalities needs to occur at the level of individual professionals in order to have an impact on the primary value-creation processes.

Keywords: educational systems; system of higher education; training services; public services; value creation

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 3