The purpose of this paper is to analyse the nature of bureaucratization within public research bodies and its relationship to scientific performance, focusing on an Italian case-study. The main finding is that the bureaucratization of the research sector has two dimensions: public research labs have academic bureaucratization since researchers spend an increasing part of their time in administrative matters (i.e., preparing grant applications, managing grants/projects, and so on); whereas universities mainly have administrative bureaucratization generated by the increase over time of (...) administrative staff in comparison with researchers and faculty. In addition, I show that research units with higher bureaucratization have lower scientific performance. (shrink)

This paper reflects on quality assessment and performance evaluation in higher education, namely by analysing the insufficient link between those two aspects. We start by reviewing the current state of the art regarding different processes and mechanisms of quality assessment and performance evaluation and discuss some of the major issues regarding the implementation of some of them. In particular, we analyse the current limitations regarding data collected, available and publicised on the performance of HEIs and the problems those limitations bring (...) to a fair evaluation of higher education. Through this analysis we intend to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of evaluation in higher education and the way these may lead to the promotion of better quality assessment practices and institutional management. (shrink)

Government policies for science, usually incorporatingeconomic and social aims, are increasingly influencing the contentand management of university research. This essay discusses theinfluence of selected science policies on individual researchersand group leaders. Within the limitations of a case study, itargues that policies that steer the content of research have agreater influence on research behaviour, than do policies relatedto overall research management. Increasing pressures for compliancewith mission-objectives point to the need for closer discussionbetween those who make policy decisions, and the wider researchcommunity.

This text is an introduction to complexity theory and its application to public services management. In a clear and comprehensible manner it: Argues that the complexity of the public policy process limits the usefulness of the ‘new public management’ approach Challenges management techniques used in key areas of the public sector, such as performance management, staff development leadership, strategic management and the use of IT Proposes alternative approaches that are based on a correct understanding of the disorder in the policy (...) process The difficult concepts of complexity theory are presented in an accessible manner that explains the central concepts in this new approach to social science. The relevance of emerging theories like knowledge management, emotional intelligence and risk management, are also explored. For public service managers and professional in all areas, MBA and postgraduate students in public service management and public policy, undergraduate students in applied social science, policy and politics. (shrink)