美国高校有组织科研机构的类型功能、治理困境与借鉴启示

Organized Research Units in American Universities: Types and Functions, Governance Dilemmas, and Implications

当今世界科学体系中,美国长期处于领跑地位。独立于院系之外的有组织科研机构对美国研究型大学的科技创新起着重要作用。分析美国有组织科研机构的类型功能、治理困境,有助于为我国高校有组织科研的发展提供借鉴与启示。文章基于对历史资料、文献和相关大学官网信息的系统梳理发现,美国高校有组织科研机构沿着“赠与或捐款—基金会或捐款—政府部门资助—社会多方资助”发生了三次重大转型。类型特征层面,美国高校有组织科研机构分为标准型、适应型、影子型。功能作用层面,美国高校有组织科研机构对研究型大学、企业和政府三个创新主体,产生了不同程度的积极作用。治理困境层面,美国高校有组织科研机构面临的困境包括与院系的矛盾、内部治理以及功能定位三个方面。我国高校有组织科研机构建设可与高校使命定位同向而行,确保资源的可持续性,重视治理机制建设。

The United States has been a front-runner in the global scientific system in the present-day.Organized research units(ORUs),as the independent unities from collegial departments,play an important role in driving the scientific and technological innovation of research universities in the United States.Analyzing the types,functions,and governance challenges of ORUs in the United States can provide reference and inspiration for the development of organized research in Chinese universities.Through analyzing the historical materials,literature and information on university websites,this study presents the historical developments with three transitions of ORUs:Gifts or donations-foundation or donation-government department funding-multi-party social funding.In terms of types and characteristics,ORUs include standard,adaptive,and shadow types.ORUs serve different functions and roles in universities,industries,and governments in different degrees.The current difficulties of ORUs refer to the conflicts with departments,management,and orientations.Implications for ORUs in China include:aligning with universities’mission,ensuring the sustainability of resources,and establishing governance mechanisms.