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| Author: | Chiesa, V. (et. al) |
| Title: | Performance measurement in R&D: exploring the interplay between measurement objectives, dimensions of performance and contextual factors |
| Journal: | R & D Management
2009 : NOV, VOL 39:5 p. 488-506 |
| Index terms: | productivity efficiency knowledge management management science management Italy |
| Freeterms: | production |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | Measuring research and development (R&D) performance has become a great concern for R&D managers and executives in recent decades. Thus, the issue has been much debated in academic literature. This paper contributes to this knowledge, adopting a systemic and contextual perspective to inspect the problem of measuring R&D performance. Particularly, it explores the interplay between measurement objectives, performance dimensions and contextual factors in the planning of an R&D performance measurement system (PMS). The paper relies on a multiple case study analysis involving 15 Italian technology-intensive firms. The results imply that firms purposes of measuring R&D performance vary: these can be motivating researchers and engineers, monitoring the progress of activities, evaluating the profitability of R&D projects, favouring coordination and communication and stimulating organisational learning. These are pursued in clusters, and the notice firms take to each cluster is influenced by the context (type of R&D, industry belonging, size) in which measurement occurs. Moreover, a firm's choice to measure R&D performance along a certain perspective (i.e. financial, customer, business processes or innovation and learning) is affected by the classes of higher priority objectives (diagnostic, motivational or interactive). The implications of these results for R&D managers and scholars are also discussed in the study. |
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