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8.1 Economic-Adm. research at the institutional level
8.1.1 Organisation, leadership and strategy
It is stated in the self-assessment that Economic-Administrative research is addressed through interdisciplinary topics. The university college’s Faculty of Economics and Organisational Studies has the highest number of students, but surprisingly is not engaged in explicit research in the Economic-Administrative area. However, energy economics is identified as an area of application, which might be an interdisciplinary topic, but the contributions are clearly within the Economic-Administrative research area. There seems to be some confusion about research being identified as interdisciplinary or field/applied research.
The university college has a traditional structure, however, the size of each faculty is generally relatively small. There is a strategy encouraging the external funding of research. However, a dean has not been appointed for research, only a vice-rector with a focus on research at rector level.
Lillehammer University College has for some years been working on a merger with other university colleges, and in January 2017, Lillehammer was merging with Hedmark University. The main issue for a small faculty (15 individuals are listed) is that it has to teach a relatively broad range of topics. Hence, it can be difficult to create the necessary research focus, and a look at the area of publications over the past three years reflects this, with very diverse fields/areas of publication ranging from energy economics, finance and tourism economics and marketing to human resource management.
8.1.2 Institutional follow-up of previous evaluations
Lillehammer University College has not been part of the previous assessments by the RCN.
8.1.3 Resources and infrastructure
The university college has recently grown with respect to social science, media profile and sport, i.e.
there is no specific research strategy for the Economic-Administrative area. And from the submitted material, it is not possible to assess the exact allocation of resources to Economic-Administrative research. The panel is only given accounts data for three faculties in total.
The university college has a strategy to increase external research funding, and it is indicated that several applications will be submitted to the EU in 2017-2018. From the budget sheet, it can be seen that the amount of external funding is substantial, around 30% of the budget, illustrating success in these activities.
8.1.4 Research environment
The submission recognises the importance of external and international collaborations for PhD and staff development. However, the research environment is not described in further detail.
8.1.5 Research personnel
The university’s recruitment activity is driven by the general requirements. There is no recruitment strategy in the Economic-Administrative area. It is stated that the recruitment of PhDs is a priority in energy economics. It is not possible, however, to determine whether this has been successful.
8.1.6 Research production and scientific quality
Around 14 researchers have been identified (DAMVAD) of which two are non-publishing. The average annual level of publication appears to be about 12 articles/chapters per year, which might be considered below what could be expected of such a group of researchers. Compared to other
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institutions in Norway, the performance in terms of publication points is also below the average. There is also a lack of PhD students in the area.
Little detail is provided to support the claims about the scientific quality of the institution. There is one theme, namely energy economics and policy, where researchers have managed to publish in the best field journals. This work as it stands is acceptable and approaching international standard.
Seven publications are submitted by three researchers; six of these are within energy economics and policy and one is on forest planning (ten years old) and is not very representative of the current research output. These publications confirm that the work is of international standard.
Assessment of scientific quality: 2 - fair
8.1.7 Interplay between research and education
There appears to be scope for Economic-Administrative research to be incorporated more extensively into teaching. This is mainly an issue of workload, but also of how to match specialised areas of research with more general education.
8.1.8 Societal relevance and impact
There is insufficient information to make a judgement on this issue. It is stated that there are expectations of knowledge exchange. However, no policy and strategy are reported in the submission.
No impact case was submitted.
8.1.9 Overall assessment
The Economic-Administrative research is quite diverse with, in reality, one focus area (energy) that has not been part of the overall strategy of Lillehammer University College in recent years. The university college has grown in other areas, e.g. media and sports. The main function of the Faculty of Economics and Organisational Studies seems to be to deliver teaching input to various study programmes.
8.1.10 Feedback
As a small faculty, the research needs to focus on two or a maximum of three sub-disciplines of economics and business administration. The interdisciplinary scope of the environment can be seen as an advantage, but only if there is a stronger commitment to develop the sub-disciplines of economics and business administration. There is a clear need for research leadership within the faculty.
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8.2 Research Group: Energy and Natural Resources
The group has developed over the past seven years from being a research project group organised around a few research projects to a group of researchers (5-6 persons), which has developed its range and portfolio of research projects.
8.2.1 Organisation, leadership and strategies
No explicit strategy is stated for the group. One of the senior researchers is mentioned as the leader;
but exactly what his role is remains unclear. The organisation and activities are very much related to what is required of running externally funded research projects. This means that contacts are established with both the scientific and commercial community. The quality of the group is secured by publishing, presentations and visits to well-respected international universities. The group’s relevance is demonstrated by several of its projects being implemented by business and industry. Since the group is not large, its organisation makes sense, but a strategy is required in order to bring it to the next stage of development.
8.2.2 Research personnel
Recruitment to the group has mainly been at PhD and postdoc level, with graduates going on to be employed by the research group. Candidates are recruited via the group’s network and job openings.
8.2.3 Research production and scientific quality
The group focuses on energy finance, energy economics and energy policy, and political economy research. This is very wide especially given the fact that the research group leader conducts significant research in other thematic areas (e.g. tourism). The group publishes both nationally and internationally, and the publications are co-authored to some extent. They mainly publish in journals.
Overall productivity is at the lower end of the scale with publications in field journals. However, not many of these field journals are at BFI2 level, which might explain the lack of publications in top journals. The group can aim to reach outside social sciences to increasing the interdisciplinarity of its research.
8.2.4 Networking
The report mentions a long list of universities and research institutions that the group cooperates with.
It is not clear what kind of cooperation this is. Visits, joint workshops and co-authorships are mentioned in other sections of the self-assessment as networking activities. For a university college, this is more international and national scientific networking than often seen. The group also has networks with national industry. The group can develop a more coherent strategy to develop and utilise its international network for collaboration and research funding in the longer run. The international reputation and competence of Norwegian researchers in the areas of energy and resource should help to promote such a strategy.
8.2.5 Interplay between research and education
The group members teach mainly in standard economics courses and in a few courses within the field of the research group area. There is no indication of closer interaction between master’s education programmes/students and the research group members.
8.2.6 Societal relevance and impact
The relevance of the group is demonstrated by collaborative research projects with the industry.
There is no impact case enclosed.
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8.2.7 Overall assessment
The research group is developed around funded research projects and its activities and organisation reflect this. The group does not regularly hold research meetings and presentations. Its scientific qualifications are fine because the group members publish regularly in international field journals. The group has managed to develop collaborative research with the industry, thus demonstrating the relevance of the group.
Assessment of research group: 3 - good
8.2.8 Feedback
The next step for the group would be to implement common activities, such as research group meetings and presentations, and to develop a strategy for the research group. Taking the group to the next scientific level will require the development of a strategy that includes defining the research profile better, developing a qualification and recruitment policy, publication strategies and international external funding to mention a few areas of strategic interest.
67 No. of PhD graduated at the institution per year
Male/Female 1/2 1/2 3/2
R&D expenditures and sources of funding (1000 NOK) Total per year 3 3 5 No. of positions announced / No. of qualified applicants per year
Source: The Research Council of Norway, Self-assessment report for the institution, 16/12960