What is it about?
The purpose of this study is to analyse how academic professors cope with the new culture of performance measurement and assessment in universities. In particular, the study aims to shed light on how external pressures related to measurement of research performance are translated into organisational and individual academic responses within the university, and the extent to which these responses are related specifically to the operational features of performance measurement systems (PMS).
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Why is it important?
The study explores the factors that contribute to explain why the unintended effects of PMS on academics’ behaviour reported in several university settings might occur. It highlights the need to rethink performance measurement systems for the evaluation of university performance through the involvement of different stakeholders.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Academic logics in changing performance measurement systems, Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, January 2020, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/qram-06-2019-0076.
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Resources
Universities worry about fallout from research ranking
Performance measurement in Higher Education
UK universities hiring 'superstar' professors to boost research rankings
Effects of performance measurement systems in Higher Education
Performance-driven culture is ruining scientific research
Unintended consequences of performance-driven incentive systems for academic staff
Lessons Learned: A Case Study of Performance Funding in Higher Education
Impacts of Performance-based funding in universities
Reimagining academic assessment: stories of innovation and change
Case studies of universities and national consortia highlight key elements of institutional change to improve academic career assessment.
European Commission: Towards a reform of the research assessment system
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Towards a reform of the research assessment system – Scoping report, Publications Office, 2021. This scoping report presents the findings from the consultation, identifies the goals that should be pursued with a reform of research assessment, and proposes a coordinated approach based on principles and actions that could be agreed upon by a coalition of research funding and research performing organisations committed to implement changes.
Rethinking Research Assessment: Unintended Cognitive and Systems Biases
A better understanding of personal biases that can influence hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions in universities can help HE leaders in implementing better performance measurement systems.
Science Europe: Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment
This Agreement is the result of a co-creation process started in January 2022 to set a shared direction for changes in assessment practices for research, researchers, and research performing organisations, with the goal to maximise the quality and impact of research. It includes principles, commitments, and timeframes for reforms and lays out principles for a Coalition of organisations willing to work together in implementing the changes. It was drafted by Science Europe, the European University Association, and Dr Karen Stroobants, supported by the European Commission. It takes into account input from over 350 research organisations from more than 40 countries.
Papers and patents are becoming less disruptive over time
Park, M., Leahey, E. & Funk, R.J. Papers and patents are becoming less disruptive over time. Nature 613, 138–144 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05543-x
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