The influence of social factors on the performance of a center :a case study of the "University Research Center"
Abstract
Factors involved in the development and performance of interdisciplinary university based research centers were
investigated by an analytical case study of one such center, the "University Research Center" (URC). A description of URC's life cycle and the various factors that affected its performance is presented. The sociocognitive ideals of
university-based research centers emphasized the promotion
of interdisciplinary research and education. The
organizational reality, however, showed that a variety of
other factors, both internal and external to a center, may
significantly influence its operations. Factors internal to
URC included leadership, support of loyal participants and
their motivations to participate in interdisciplinary research. External factors included the effects of
university departments and the availability of funds. The
interpretation of these factors made it possible to
construct generalizations about the organizational
characteristics of university-based research centers. In
order to function effectively, a university-based research
center must manage its sociocognitive ideals and its organizational characteristics simultaneously and with some degree of balance.
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- Masters Theses [17908]