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Research Performance and the Organizational Effectiveness of UK Universities

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Listed:
  • Croucher, Richard
  • Gooderham, Paul
  • Rizov, Marian

Abstract

We test Shattock’s legacy reputation thesis that non-leading universities in the UK face insuperable resource barriers to entering the leading group. Employing regression analysis, we examine whether prioritizing research performance is a viable strategy for non-leading UK universities aiming to improve their organizational effectiveness. The dependent variable, organizational effectiveness, is measured by the annual Guardian rankings of universities. The main independent variable, research performance, is measured using “research power” (‘RP’). RP is derived from the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF). For 2008-14 we find that changes in research performance impacted university rankings. However, we also find that changes to the rankings are largely confined to non-leading universities and have not led to these institutions breaking into the group of leading universities. Therefore, Shattock’s thesis is supported.

Suggested Citation

  • Croucher, Richard & Gooderham, Paul & Rizov, Marian, 2018. "Research Performance and the Organizational Effectiveness of UK Universities," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 5(1), pages 22-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:183131
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gianni De Fraja & Giovanni Facchini & John Gathergood, 2016. "How Much Is That Star in the Window? Professorial Salaries and Research Performance in UK Universities," Discussion Papers 2016-13, University of Nottingham, GEP.
    2. Amable, Bruno, 2016. "Institutional complementarities in the dynamic comparative analysis of capitalism," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(1), pages 79-103, March.
    3. Artés, Joaquín & Pedraja-Chaparro, Francisco & Salinas-JiméneZ, Mª del Mar, 2017. "Research performance and teaching quality in the Spanish higher education system: Evidence from a medium-sized university," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 19-29.
    4. Geuna, Aldo & Piolatto, Matteo, 2016. "Research assessment in the UK and Italy: Costly and difficult, but probably worth it (at least for a while)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 260-271.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    organizational effectiveness; research performance; UK universities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M11 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Production Management
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • L30 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - General

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