Two new publications by Christian Schneijderberg and Nicolai Götze

In their recently published articles, Christian Schneijderberg analyzes the “Bureaucratic organization of competition,” while Nicolai Götze and his colleagues offer insights into the topic of “The unity of research and teaching under threat".” Both articles are available as open-access articles.

Two new publications by INCHER researchers Nicolai Götze and colleagues, and Christian Schneijderberg shed light on pressing challenges in higher education. The first explores how the research-teaching nexus affects academic job satisfaction across Germany, Austria, and Canada, revealing national differences and the importance of perceived alignment between research and teaching. The second examines the rise of bureaucratic competition in German universities, analyzing how autonomy reforms have intensified external regulation and internal administrative complexity. Together, they offer critical insights into the evolving dynamics of academic work and institutional governance.

Götze, Nicolai; Lessky, Franziska; Geppert, Corinna; Jefferson, Alison Elizabeth (2026): The unity of research and teaching under threat: Does it matter for academics’ job satisfaction? Research in Comparative and International Education [Online First]. DOI: 10.1177/17454999261456836.

Abstract:

The growing importance of third-party funding, excellence policies, and organisational differentiation are eroding the Humboldtian idea of a unity of research and teaching. Though studies show a perceived preference for research over teaching amongst academics, there remains a dearth of research into the association between the research-teaching nexus and job satisfaction. We know little about whether, and if so how, national higher education contexts moderate job satisfaction. This study examines what effect, if any, the perceived preference for research, the compatibility of research and teaching, and workload have on job satisfaction and whether effects are moderated by country – selecting Canada, Germany, and Austria for comparison. Findings indicate that while high teaching and administrative workloads decrease job satisfaction, those who subjectively prefer teaching over research are more satisfied than their research-oriented colleagues. The results also show that national higher education systems are a significant moderating factor for job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of country-comparative research.

Schneijderberg, Christian (2026): Bureaucratic Organization of Competition: University Autonomy and Academic Excellence in Germany. European Review [Online First], DOI: 10.1017/S1062798726100787.

Abstract:

New Public Management (NPM) could be considered as a rediscovery of bureaucratic organization, which hit the German university sector in the mid-1990s. More university autonomy came at the cost of budget negotiations, agreements on objectives, accountability, steering by indicators, third-party funding competition, etc. In this article, the positions and roles of higher-education and science professionals are used to show how the NPM regime of bureaucratic organization expanded into academic functions. The discussion paper ‘More autonomy – less regulation. Proposals for the de-bureaucratization of the science system’ by the German Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) is used as a point of departure to discuss increasing external regulation (case: public third-party funding competition) and university-internal bureaucratization (case: professorial hiring). The theory-led discussion is based on the elaboration of bureaucratic organization as a concept defining the social forces of structures, actors and activities. The concept is further detailed by the four sub-concepts official duties, authority relations, employment of qualified personnel and career paths, and individual agency/enterprise, which emphasize that bureaucratic organization provides some leeway for bureaucrats within legal and ethical boundaries. The generic theoretical concept is suitable for all kinds of studies on bureaucratic organization, and is substantiated by core categories/variables.