دانلود رایگان مقاله استدلال نامعتبر برای کشور توسعه یافته سیستم علمی و دانشگاهی

abstract

This article contradicts recent arguments in Portugal that there are “too many PhDs” and argues that there is a need to understand better the changing nature of doctorates and doctorate holders. The article analyzes whether there is a surplus of doctorate holders in Portugal based on five critical dimensions, using data provided by supranational and national public organizations: stocks and flows; university academic staff qualifications; age structure; research output; and labor market for PhDs. The analysis shows that rather than a surplus, there is a shortage of doctorate holders in many sectors of activity, which is expected to be exacerbated in the next few decades. These findings underline the need to consider active public policies to attract and retain PhDs, as well as enhancing the degree of involvement of new doctorate holders in the modernization of higher education and in the internationalization of the economy. Intermediary institutions, public–private research partnerships and public administration may play a critical role in the process but require new economic actors and instruments with the capacity to invest in and employ doctorate holders.

6. Conclusion

This article contradicts the “too many PhDs” argument and argues that there is a need to understand better the changing nature of doctorates and doctorate holders and their possible future employment perspectives. The analysis is developed for Portugal as a case study of interest to other countries developing their science, technology and higher education systems. Our analysis suggests that there is a need for active public policies to attract and retain highly qualified human resources, and to promote new economic actors and instruments with the capacity to invest in and employ PhDs. The way in which a country like Portugal may gain competitiveness and access to external markets may require encouraging international knowledge and innovation networks, and deepening the degree of involvement of new doctorate holders in the internationalization of the economy. Intermediary institutions and public–private research partnerships may play a critical role in the process, implying necessarily a better understanding of the changing nature of doctorates and doctorate holders.