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Volume 21, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 1476-413X
  • E-ISSN: 1758-9509

Abstract

This study aims to analyse, through a case study, how European higher education alliances involving Portuguese public institutions reflect the European integration process and operationalize related concepts in their mission and strategic documents. Using a qualitative case study approach, we analyse the content of key institutional documents – particularly their mission statements, produced by the selected alliances. Through a thematic content analysis, we identify core themes and sub-themes such as ‘Governance, Mobility’, ‘Digitalization’, ‘Research and Innovation’, ‘The European Market’ and ‘European Citizenship’. These dimensions offer analytical insights into the values, strategies and objectives, articulated by the alliance, as well as how they position themselves externally and differ among each other. Our findings suggest that the concern for building a common European identity among the different members of the alliances is a central aspect of these institutions, which materializes mainly at the symbolic level, i.e., in the reinforcement of European values.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (Award UIDB/00757/202)
  • ReUni4Future (Award 2022.04049.PTDC)
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2026-04-19

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European higher education alliances and integration: Evidence from Portuguese universities
Portuguese Journal of Social Science 21, 295 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1386/pjss_00059_1
/content/journals/10.1386/pjss_00059_1
/content/journals/10.1386/pjss_00059_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): European education area; European integration; European Union; European Universities Initiatives; HEIs; university mission

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