State modernisation and changing learning environments - focusing on empluyees with an academic background

The modernisation of the public sector involves many initiatives such as reforming the public sector; making it more efficient and democratic through an increase in market and user control; an increased application of technology; a decentralisation of responsibilities and competences as well as an argumentation in management and personnel development activities. The concept of modernisation signals a novel use of language and it has brought about a long line of concepts such as decentralisation, selv-management, selv-gouvernment, dse-bureaucratisation, quality control and user influence; all words that may sound positive or an intuitive level, but which also constitute a source of uncertainty as to what is actually taking place. The paper aim to analyse the learning environments in two case studies made in state work places and discuss some of the thematic queations that appear to be of interest to the comparison of the learning environments. The project applies a particular focus on the group af academic staff members.