A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Digital Transformation and Discourses of Change Commodify Finnish Public Education




AuthorsLempinen, Sonia; Kiesi, Iida; Nivanaho, Nina; Seppänen, Piia

PublisherSpringer Nature Link

Publication year2024

JournalNew Zealand Journal of Educational Studies

Journal name in sourceNew Zealand Journal of Educational Studies

ISSN0028-8276

eISSN2199-4714

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s40841-024-00357-z

Web address https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40841-024-00357-z

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/459185251


Abstract

Ecosystemic cooperation among the state, municipalities, and commercial actors is evident in the public education of Finland. The edu-ecosystems can include firm interdependences, value creation, co-specialisation, and co-evolution with an aim to sell products and services to the global market as well as to open up markets in a particular country. Here, we examine the discourses through which commercial actors promote the change or transformation of public education. With support from the state, commercial organisations—whether for-profit, non-profit or private or state-run—have a strong agenda to change ‘old-fashioned’ education into one that better serves the twenty-first century work life. The state and municipalities are gatekeeping the businessing around education, but commercial actors would prefer more opportunities to cooperate with public education institutions. It is noteworthy that commercial actors are gaining greater access to public education policymaking through ecosystems, and hence, have greater influence in redefining and commodifying education. Yet, there is a lack of public conversation about the commodification of public education in Finland.


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Funding information in the publication
Open Access funding provided by University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital).


Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:39