Identifying success factors in research fund competition: a case study involving three medical institutions in Texas
Year: 2005
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Some research institutions are more successful competing for federal research \nfunds. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the institutional factors that \nexplain how two groups (more and less competitive institutions) differ in their \ncompetitiveness (i.e., their rank in the top 100 research universities as measured by \nfederally financed research and development [R&D] dollars). Two annual National \nScience Foundation surveys that collect total institutional R&D expenditures and federal \nobligations data were examined. From these data, three Texas medical institutions were \nselected for in-depth case studies. Multiple data sources were used and allowed the \nresearcher to explore each institution’s research development over time. Institutional \nfactors identified in organizational development literature as key to an institution’s \neffectiveness were investigated. The extended research period (1971 to 2000) covered \nseveral institutional presidential terms and allowed the examination of leaders’ roles in \nvii \nthe institution’s research enterprise. The case studies included interviews with key \npeople with knowledge of the institution’s research activities. \nFour internal factors that facilitated the research enterprise (culture, people, \nresearch capacity, and processes) were found to differentiate the highly competitive \nmedical institutions from the less competitive institution. The more competitive \ninstitutions acquired federal research funds because their cultures (i.e., core beliefs and \nvalues) placed cutting-edge research as a high priority and promoted a strong passion and \ncommitment to an intellectually-rich research environment. These institutions aligned \ntheir human and physical resources (i.e., research capacity) to be more effective in \ninnovative research. Concurrently, this research-supportive culture promoted streamlined \nprocesses (i.e., practices, procedures, and policies) that facilitated the research enterprise. \nThe less competitive institution lacked such a culture and, consequently, could not \nsuccessfully direct its people, capacity, or processes toward research; as a result, this \ninstitution was less competitive in acquiring federal research funds. \nBased on these findings, many institutions with research capacity who desire high \nnational ranking will not achieve this goal as they lack the four identified critical factors. \nState and institutional resources should be directed to those institutions with higher \nprobabilities of success whose cultures, people, capacities, and processes support \nresearch or are more likely to be developed.
Author: Angela Veronica Helmer
Language: English
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2164899507