Quality culture at Nordic Universities

Figures & data

Table 1. Presentation of university sample and compilation of data material and basic documents

Countries and Universities	Denmark			Finland			Iceland	Norwegian				Sweden					Number of documents
Documents	Technical University of Denmark	University of Copenhagen	Roskilde University	University of Eastern Finland	University of Turku	Aalto University	University of Iceland	University of Agder	University of Bergen	Norwegian University of Science and Technology	Oslo University	Karlstad University	Malmö University	University of Skövde	Umeå University	Uppsala university
Covering letter	x	x	x			x	x		x	x	x		x				9
Quality system overall		x		x	x	x	x	x				x		x			8
Internal administration and quality processes		x			x		x	x	x		x	x			x		8
Strategy plan, overall		x					x		x		x			x	x	x	7
Internal information					x	x		x			x					x	5
Quality system, education									x	x	x		x		x		5
Self-assessment report in relation to external review		x	x		x										x		4
Quality system research, graduate education			x						x				x				3
Educational material aimed at a good QC (courses)									x		x						2
Guidelines and instructions									x						x		2
Measure to encourage quality work (price)								x			x						2
Minutes from meetings									x		x						2
Specific strategy plans											x					x	2
Annual report (report)										x							1
Examples of quality development projects											x						1
Internal control (year wheel)									x								1
International cooperation agreement											x						1
National regulations		x															1
Policy for open science									x								1
Quality system support													x				1
Starting points for quality in research									x								1
Strategic management	x																1
Values for educational quality and QC		x															1
Number of documents																	69

Table 2. . An example of an analysis in process.

How do the universities deal with the term Quality Culture (QC).
Categories from universities’ documents	Combined perspectives	Overall descriptions
University wants to promote a good QC through its quality work.	To describe systematic quality work.	To highlight and describe the quality of the university's activities based on the management's responsibilities
The university uses the ‘QC’ as a collective term for measures and work processes in quality work.
QC is used to describe the goal for evaluations and follow-ups.
The concept ‘QC’ is used in texts describing the strategic work.	To describe the strategic work at university.
QC is mentioned as a goal for the strategic work.
QC is stated to be the starting point for the strategic work.
QC is an ingredient in good leadership.
An undefined, but common understanding.	To highlight that there are common values and a common understanding	To describe a good university culture
The university's core values.
A university culture that is grounded in history.
The mentality of the university.
The QC can vary within the university.	To discuss a phenomenon of quality within the university culture
The QC can be common for the entire university.
The QC can be developed.
The QC is seen in all activities at university.
The QC is special for each individual university.
The QC at university is a phenomenon that is difficult to know how to relate to.
In relation to good leadership.	To highlight the quality of the university atmosphere
In relation to good balance of power.
In relation to good division of responsibilities.
The university's QC is defined by referring to general guidelines.	By referring to national and international guidelines
The university's goals in quality work are described by referring to general guidelines.
The university's approach in quality work is described by referring to general guidelines.
The term QC is used to describe good quality education.	Education	To describe good quality in implementation of university activities
The term QC is used in connection with description of development of education.
The term QC is used to describe a good learning environment.
The term QC is used to describe a good research environment.	Research
The term QC is used to describe administration with good quality.	Administration
Different concept constructions with the term ‘Culture’ are used or only the term ‘Quality’ is used.	Other

Table 3. The overall descriptions that emerged from the data

Overview of the results. (Quality Culture = QC, Assurance Quality = AQ)
1. How do Nordic universities describe their QC?	Structured and systematic.	Integrated and well known.	Trust, engagement, and participation.	Active through personal responsibility.
2. How do Nordic universities deal with QC?	To highlight the quality of the university's activities from a general perspective.	To describe the organisational culture of the university.	To describe the goal of quality in implementation of university activities.	To describe good quality in implementation of university activities.	Some universities do not deal with the concept of QC.
3. How do Nordic universities consider that QC is created?	At a strategic level.	Through external requirement processes, and responsibility	Through management	Through interpersonal relationships	Through development work.	Through information and dissemination.
4. How do Nordic universities consider that QC can be led and safeguarded?	Through a top-down perspective.	Through a top-down and bottom-up perspective.	Through a bottom-up perspective.
5. How do Nordic universities describe the relationship between AQ and QC?	AQ and the QC coincide	QA and enhancement system is based on the existing culture of academic quality	QA and its processes are used to develop the QC of the university.
6. How do Nordic universities reflect on QC and internal control?	Internal control is included in the AQ.	Internal control is organisationally above all activities at the university, also quality work.	There is a relation between QC and the control and monitoring functions

Figure 1. An overview of the characteristics of quality culture in Nordic universities.