Auswirkungen der evaluationsbasierten Forschungsfinanzierung an Universitäten auf die Inhalte der Forschung. Australien und Deutschland im Vergleich

This article answers the question as to whether assessments on hierarchically run universities evoke adaptive behaviour in scientists, causing them to change the subject matter of their research. The establishment of assessments is a crucial process in the transition to performance orientated basic financing of universities, a process that has not only taken place worldwide but has also been successively enforced in Germany. Assessments are an important requisite within hierarchically run universities because with the help of them information about subunits can be obtained which is a necessity under this type of management. With reference to the Australian case this article discusses the consequences that formula based financial control has on the strategies and organisational structures as well as on the scientific output itself. Conclusions can be drawn as to what recommendations should be made in regard to the research policy and university management in Germany.