The evolutionary approach to the long-term
change in Finnish public research system
The article examines long-term structural
change in Finland’s public research institutes
system within the framework of evolutionary
organization theory, focusing on evolutionary
features, selection environment and key
mechanisms. Empirical data is gathered by
thematic interviews.
Observation is that the mission to support
evolutionary over revolutionary change has been
gradually accomplished but opposing forces
in selection environment have complicated
the process. The aim to promote horizontal
cooperation between sectorial institutes has
formed new collaborative variants to system,
but these have not been able to compete with
institute fusion strategy.
