Data and methods

The similarity between the reform of Danish Universities and reforms in other countries, the unique set of data, and the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods makes the findings relevant for university governance in other settings. The data were, except from the University Acts and ministerial orders, collected as part of a comprehensive research program—“Governing, Funding and Performance of Universities”—funded by The Velux Foundation. Reforms and policy initiatives can be implemented in various ways at the different universities and faculties. Between February and March 2014, all the 81 board members at the eight universities in Denmark were asked to fill out a web-based questionnaire. One dean from each of the seven sampled universities was interviewed. The Ministry of Higher Education and each university have entered into a so-called development contract on a regular basis since 2000. In the investigation of the governmental rules and development contracts, both the objective and subjective data make the foundation for the analysis.