Strategic instrument or social institution: Rationalized myths of the university in stakeholder perceptions of higher education reform in Poland

摘要: Abstract European universities have come under reform pressures to make them instruments of social and economic development, compromising their earlier status as socially buffered institutions. The aim this paper was investigate the hypothesis that tensions inconsistencies in recent higher education reforms Poland trace back a fundamental conflict between institutional instrumental visions university. Findings suggest an intersection “rationalized myths” locks university sector “corset” experienced by stakeholders more like return Soviet past than way better future. Seen through lens second-order systems theory, these findings problematize assumption historically grounded institution can be re-oriented instrument for achieving state priorities with mere balance carrots state-of-the-art sticks.