Institutionalizing the triple helix: research funding and norms in the academic system

What are the institutional mechanisms that enable or hinder the development of new forms of knowledge production? This issue has been slightly neglect ed in the discussion of the "triple helix". To redress this shortcoming, th e authors suggest an institutionalist complement to the triple helix model. The article analyzes the institutional regulation of academic research, wi th a special emphasis on how norms in the academic system are constituted v ia research funding. It is argued that funding is a key mechanism of change in the norm system since its reward structure influences the performance a nd evaluation of research. The empirical analysis is based on the public fi nancing of technical research in Sweden, with comparisons made with other c ountries. The structure of research funding has been reformed in all the co untries studied. In addition to continuing recognition for scientific merit , the reforms have had the effect of emphasizing the commercial potential a nd the societal relevance of the research supported. The two dominant model s of research funding, an intra-academic model and a top-down interventioni st model, seem to be replaced partly with a catalytic one. However, there a re counteracting tendencies. Some agencies still reproduce a model of reput ational control and a collegial orientation among researchers. It is conclu ded, therefore, that the forces of change and continuity are engaged in a p rocess of negotiation about the normative regulation of academic research. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.