The Role of the University as Key Actor in Managing the Dynamics of Academic Mobility - An Analysis of the Implementation of a Degree Training Programme in Interaction with Industrial Organizations

摘要

The operation of the market for technology know-how is strongly influenced by the increasing globalization demands. The dynamics of the globalized technology market increases the need for international experts. As a result of the changing state/market relationship, also the role of the university has changed. The university must rediscover its role as a competent promoter of academic mobility. University degree training programmes are a tool for functional managing of mobility dynamics. This paper aims to highlight the role of the university as key actor in facilitating functional academic mobility programmes as an innovative management tool for industrial organizations to meet the global organizational challenge that is presented by the intensifying competition for talents. This analysis is a case study approach. It discusses the training of Russian M.Sc. engineers at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) for and in interaction with ABB Finland. The approach is based on the theory of the promoter model which is a concept that is introduced in innovation management research. The paper introduces the implementation of the promoter structure into the complex relationship between academic mobility and the functions of the university in the process of developing and managing functional mobility programmes for organizational resourcing purposes.