Isomorphic transformations of institutions of science and higher education in the post-Soviet countries

Abstract

The article presents a literature review on isomorphic transformations and integration of research and higher education sectors in the post-Soviet region. The paper shows how institutional changes in research and higher education sectors of post-Soviet countries have been proceeded in diverse directions with different dynamic despite the common Soviet legacy. Some countries of the former USSR are more prone to isomorphic transformations with focus on integration into the world community. Whereas the other post-Soviet countries, guided by the path dependency concept, tend to largely adhere to the Soviet model of research and higher education organization. Particular attention focuses on the case of Russia, where a convergence of research and higher education sectors had occurred due to the influence of the academic excellence program «5-100». Also, the article shows that the strengthening of research activities in universities had happened due to the interaction between higher education institutions and research institutions of the Academy of Sciences and other research organizations. The study is based on the case study methodology. The database for analysis is formed by secondary sources of information.