International seminar “Innovative approaches to education in the private higher education sector” Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain, 28-29 November 2013 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONSTRAINTS TO INNOVATION IN UNIVERSITIES Prof. Dr. Atilla Eris (Istanbul Bilgi University) ➡Here, I am not going to explain what the definition of bureaucracy or the history of bureaucracy or what the Theory on bureaucracy of Max Weber is. ➡Nevertheless, at the beginning of my presentation I would like to stress that the bureaucracy means rules and hierarchy in many cases generally. ➡Certainly, there are positive and as well as negative aspects of the bureaucracy in the management of the state and its institutions. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 2 ➡On the other hand, there is no doubt, creativity and innovation in science and art need independency and freedom and autonomy. ➡In this instance we can ask “does the Bureaucracy restrict to Innovation in the universities ?” ➡In this regard to taking into account some important points would be useful primarily. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 3 ➡Bureaucratic procedures are often perceived as inefficient and frustrating. ➡Bureaucracy includes hierarchy, specific configuration of authority, centralization and contractualization of organizational relationships, formalization of rules, standardization, authorization, officialization, disciplinization and impersonalization of organizational action (1, 2, 3). A. Eris, 28.11.2013 4 ➡ In bureaucratic ways, except of the parliament, many institutions play an important role as a rule maker; making their regulations without exceeding of the legal regulations of the parliament. ➡ Bureaucracy has the power stemming from laws and regulations. Nevertheless sometimes bureaucrats may show more power than reality !!! ➡ That’s why sometimes we can define the bureaucracy as “the invisible government”! (1) A. Eris, 28.11.2013 5 What are we expecting from bureaucracy? Actually, we expect not only to spend maximum effort in solving problems but also to arrange them completely, whether solvable or not. And also, we expect that it makes easy all the frustrating procedures that inhibit the innovation activities. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 6 Let’s look at the innovation concept. ➡As we all know, “Innovation” is the introduction of new ideas, application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulate needs, or existing market needs. ➡That means to find more effective and useful products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets and society (5). ➡So, innovation results bring commercialization. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 7 Commercialization of the University Researches is very important in many views because it… ➡Provides a return to public investments in research, ➡Justifies new research allocations, ➡Provides a source of new companies, ➡Provides services to companies within the innovation ecosystem (4). And also it… ➡Provides powerful budget in the universities ➡Provides ranking priority and honors for the university among others. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 8 According to the classical approaches innovation has a linear process: (4) Basic Applied Development Commercialization Research Research A. Eris, 28.11.2013 9 But in the reality, innovation has a complex process (4): ➡ In many times major overlaps can be seen between Basic and Applied Research, as well as between Development and Commercialization; ➡ Principal Researchers & Investigators and/or Patents and Processes are Mobile, i.e., not firm-dependent; ➡ Many Unexpected Outcomes can be gained; ➡ Technological inventions may be preceded as well with basic research. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 10 AND… sometimes researches can be “Applied”, “Practical”, and “Basic” together at the same time A. Eris, 28.11.2013 11 As parallel to these approaches, pure research and education are not only the main university roles. Because… (4), a) University research related to industry helps generate training and skills necessary for productive lines generally; b) Industry’s needs and questions can drive university research and be a source of relevant publications. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 12 After explaining this, can we say, “Knowledge- based technologies need basic research”, can it be true for our century and the future? Clearly, YES. So, university researches and innovation activities are important instruments of higher education, which has indispensable character. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 13 Under these circumstances, universities in 21st century need to teach next generations, conduct research and commercialize for the knowledge economy. Here, the key factor is University-Industry Cooperation. From this point of view, especially regional economies need their research universities more than ever before. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 14 That’s Why, Innovation in the Universities with its all dimensions (opening of the new programs is also inclusive) needs very tight relations With industry. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 15 The relations between Bureaucracy and Innovation in Universities A. Eris, 28.11.2013 16 As well known, universities with own research capability and capacity all over the world take part in the center of the innovation activities. So, there are very tight relations between bureaucracy and innovation activities in universities. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 17 As shown here; university, society, business world and government affect total innovation capacity in a country. Business world encourages and supports the innovation with the universities together and implements the results of the innovation. Universities lead the Society TOTAL encourages the innovation with INNOVATION their scientific innovation with the capacity CAPACITY demands & needs. Government provides suitable medium and all the necessities for the innovation. Here, instead of “bureaucratic state” “participant state” should be targeted. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 18 Without a doubt, the synergy of a hi-tech industrial centers in many developed countries that strengthen the know-how and research potential of university researchers and students, is creating an academia-industry ecosystem suitable for innovation and excellence. ➡It is time to focus on the business of innovation. ➡It is time, especially for some countries, to take a serious look at their dinosaur bureaucracies and related government departments, where the simplest tasks can usually become huge problems. ➡It is time to create a professional environment that efficiently encourages and promotes economic development and innovation activities in the universities. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 19 That’s why the 21st century universities need more autonomy and more partnerships with the business world. For this purpose, the decentralization of the university governance is absolutely necessary, especially in some countries like Turkey. Autonomy, but with heightened external accountability requirements, for example on funding and quality assurance. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 20 Now, let’s make a little bit of “Devil’s Advocacy” A. Eris, 28.11.2013 21 ➡ Many times we emphasize that innovation needs the proper environment. ➡ Theoretically, under less formality, rules, procedures as well as policies; researchers and workers will become more creative. ➡ So, institutions / companies are trying to release the creative spirit through fighting bureaucracy and centralization. ➡ If the bureaucracy is left aside, creativity and innovation should boom. It sounds so simple. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 22 Actually, according to the necessities needful rules and policies are understood. The true and needful bureaucracy doesn't cause failures in innovation, ……………. but the wrong bureaucracy does… A. Eris, 28.11.2013 23 ➡ It will be a mistake to think that innovation develops by simply dissolving the bureaucracy. ➡ In many times, formal systems and procedures are the “identification mark” of successful organizations. ➡ So instead of completely elimination of existing formal regulations, it would be more effective and productive to re-evaluate the view of bureaucracy and to develop new and innovative ways by using formal systems that promote innovation. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 24 ➡ Parallel to this, selection and elimination of the negative factors that inhibit innovation and creative thinking of researchers, would be more effective and realistic. ➡ Each country has its own conditions for bureaucratic applications. It depends mainly on their traditional state structure and management approaches and of course their policies. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 25 For all that, absurd, meaningless and meddlesome centralization and bureaucracy is the enemy of innovation. Such kinds of approaches are unacceptable. This point should be explained and admitted clearly. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 26 Meaningless Bureaucracy inhibits and -in many cases- destroys initiative, whereas, “Initiative” has a vital importance for creativity and innovation activities. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 27 Certainly everywhere there are positive or negative examples about application of bureaucracy and governance. Now I would like to give & explain some examples from Turkish higher Education system very briefly to understand much better the situation of the higher education system and the bureaucratic approaches. A. Eris, 28.11.2013 28 THE BUREAUCRACY IN TURKISH UNIVERSITIES A. Eris, 28.11.2013 29 Turkish higher education dates back to the “Nizamiye Madrasa”, founded by Seljuk Turks in Baghdad during the 11th century. The Madrasa offered courses in religion and rhetoric as well as in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy and medicine. In 18th century,