The relationship between scientists and other decision-makers†

The paper deals with the relationship between scientists and other types of decision-maker. The author, basing his analysis on a schema devised by Paterson, distinguishes four types of authority—structural, sapiential, personal and moral. He discusses the various kinds of R&D decision-making levels and the authority appropriate to them and gives examples of where each may be exerted in an organisation. No form is effective unless it is accepted by all members of the relationship; sometimes dysfunctioning occurs because of inappropriate use of a particular form, a situation likely to occur in R&D where a high degree of specialised knowledge can be applied at hierarchical levels which may have somewhat restricted structural authority. He gives advice on how clashes of the different kinds of authority could be avoided. His overall conclusion is that the management of professionals could be effected more smoothly if all involved had a more complete understanding of the interplay between the types of authority.