The authors of this report call on their colleagues to adopt "Public Impact Research" (PIR) as a broad label to describe how university research improves lives and serves society--locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. Using PIR consistently along with fundamental discovery and training the next generation workforce communicates…

A structure to foster creativity in a research and development environment is described. Features of the system include an emphasis on selection of the right mix of employees, collaboration within and between groups, encouragement for risk-taking, viewing problems from new angles, and an understanding by management of many different aspects of…

Guidelines are offered for institutions seeking funds for applied research intended to lead to the commercialization of a product or process. Developed by the National Association of Home Builders' National Research Center, the guidelines suggest consideration of appropriate research performers, beneficiaries, risks, adoption of results, and…

The links between research and development (R&D) and business planning were investigated through interviews with R&D and business executives in nine industrial corporations. Results show planning is generally program or project oriented, with little evidence strategic planning is the norm. Suggestions for improving R&D planning are…

The National Science Foundation's effort to assess ways to improve the speed and accuracy of data collection from universities by federal agencies is discussed. Although only one phase of the project was completed, it is concluded that the issues surrounding electronic data collection have important implications for university research…

This reprinted 1970 article examines the need for and the education of college and university research administrators. The article stresses the need for research administrators to have knowledge of basic business theory and practice; a feeling for research theory and practice; an ability to work with funding agencies; and understanding of how…

The need for research administrators to understand and appreciate the pharmaceutical industry's research and development environment is discussed, using examples from Canada. The research administrator's role in the technology transfer process and implications for faculty are examined. Ways to build closer school-industry ties are discussed. (MSE)

The research administrator of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pennsylvania) discusses issues in the transformation of the company from a technology-driven to a business-driven organization, a process in which the technical and business segments of the organization work as teams toward successful innovation. (MSE)

Presnets the questionnaire used to survey college and university chief research officers in a July 1996 study, with response data summarized. The survey gathered information on the administrator's characteristics, research-funding levels and sources, costs, office functions (grant administration, research administration, ethical/legal oversight),…

Examines the patterns of contracts between academic marine scientists and two kinds of federal funding agencies. Discusses the quality of working relationships, quality of academic marine scientific work, and dilemma of conflicting value systems. Finds that the scientists rate science-oriented agencies more favorably than society-oriented ones.…

Emphasizes the need of leadership and funding for undergraduate education in the National Science Foundation (NSF). Criticizes the current programs of NSF and suggests some ideas about the improvement of undergraduate education. (YP)

All-inclusive patent and licensing policies of research universities ignore the strengths of individual disciplines and varied needs of industrial sponsors. Some academic units are involved primarily in incremental improvement, while others generate breakthrough developments. Industry also pursues differential innovation patterns. Disciplines…

Application of a multidimensional measure of university research activity, the Research Activity Index (RAI), is described and compared to the more common use of research and development expenditures as a criterion of activity. The RAI incorporates seven expenditure variables, three graduate-student-related variables, and a research library…

An evaluation of the 10 Centers for Advanced Ceramic Technology in New York State's collaborative research and development program yielded unexpected perceptions held by center, government, and industry personnel. Implications for the research effort, including the role of basic research and the importance of the research center administrators,…

A national survey of college and university chief research officers conducted in July 1996 provided comparative data concerning the characteristics of research administration in a modern institution, including funding levels and sources, facilities and staff resources, and other program information. Data are grouped by institution type and sector.…