The Purpose and Process of Science: Contrasting Understandings in UK Research Establishments

This paper is based on an ESRC-funded study into scientists' perceptions of management. Changes in the organisation, purpose and process of science were heralded with the publication of the White Paper (Cm2250 1993). However, to date there has been little empirical work into how research scientists understand such issues. Our research, based on qualitative interviews conducted with scientist/managers in seven government-funded research establishments, found that scientists' notions of scientific purpose varied, not just according to the nature of their work, but also evolved as careers progressed and the contexts within which they worked changed (in particular as the need to generate income through commissioned work has increased). The data also reveal a diversity in scientists' understanding of the relationship between discovery and applied science. Of central importance to R&D managers is the extent to which these scientists saw their aspirations as achievable within the changing context of public sector science. From the data we generate an Ideal Type model of approaches that may be taken to reconcile the imperatives of applied and fundamental research and develop an understanding of the key role of senior management in creating an effective interface with external stakeholders and the development of culture and vision within the laboratory that will enable effective synergy.     

棉花市场近期展望

今年6月27日至29日,由中国棉花协会、农业部农村经济研究中心、全国棉花交易市场共同主办的"2007’中国国际棉花会议"在乌鲁木齐召开,与会政府官员、联合国粮农组织官员,以及专家、学者就"入世五年的中国棉业与全球未来市场"主题进行了热烈讨论。现将部分官员、专家、学者的发言摘要刊登如下:     

Recreational behavior of onshore and offshore oil industry employees in Newfoundland,Canada

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of surveys of oil industry employees in Newfoundland, Canada, working both onshore and offshore on rigs and supply boats. The surveys reveal the different recreational behavior of respondents compared to local residents, and the unique and restricted environments in which they live and work while offshore. The analysis covers the leisure time activities both offshore and onshore, and the effects of the relocation to Newfoundland upon the recreational behavior of the sample. Conclusions discuss the significance of relocation upon recreation behavior, and implications for planning, provision, and operation of leisure opportunities in coastal zone areas affected by hydrocarbon development.     

East Asian Scholarly Research: A View from the 94th Floor

This article examines both applied and academic research relating to East Asia published during 1994 in terms of its applied relevance and its contributions to existing theory. In recent years the volume of research related to East Asia has expanded rapidly, and this review looks at the hightlights of that literature. Research from each of the functional business areas is examined, both in terms of its current and future contributions. In addition, special attention is paid to the areas of strategic management and entrepreneurship, which had a large amount of important research published during this period. Finally, there is an overall assessment of the impact of this research.     

Local Government Modernization: UK and Comparative Analysis from an Organizational Perspective

This article analyses three strands of local government modernization. The first takes an overview of the development of 'modernization' and 'improvement' of local government in the UK under the Labour government since 1997 and the overall programme of reform. We discuss both the shifts and the continuities with the previous decade and a half of the 'new public management' of Conservative administrations. We examine the implicit assumptions about how to achieve organizational and cultural change, arguing that much modernization is premised on a mechanistic metaphor of organizational change. The second section of the article examines other metaphors and theories of organizational change, arguing for the need to consider institutional and organizational perspectives in analysing local government modernization. The third section of the article then applies some organizational concepts to the comparative analysis of local government modernization.