Indicator system for managing science, technology and innovation in universities
Indicator system for managing science, technology and innovation in universities
Soleidy Rivero Amador 0 1 2 3
Maidelyn D´ıaz Pe´rez 0 1 2 3
Mar´ıa Jose´ L o´pez-Huertas Pe´rez 0 1 2 3
Reinaldo Javier Rodr´ıguez Font 0 1 2 3
Soleidy Rivero Amador 0 1 2 3
Mar´ıa Jose´ Lo´pez-Huertas Pe´rez 0 1 2 3
0 Department of Library Science, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja. Library of the Colegio Ma ́ximo de Cartuja , 18071 Granada , Spain
1 Department of Publications and the Information and Knowledge Management Group (proGINTEC), University of Pinar del R ́ıo , Mart ́ı Street, No. 300. Between
2 Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Pinar del R ́ıo , Mart ́ı Street, No. 300. Between
3 Information and Knowledge Management Group (proGINTEC), University of Pinar del R ́ıo , Mart ́ı Street, No. 300. Between
The formulation of standardized measurement indicators of science, technology and innovation at the international, regional and institutional level remains a continuing need. Although there are various schools of thought and different ways of obtaining information for measurement, one of the most favorable proposals today in the development of measuring instruments is the use of the researcher's Curriculum Vitae. The objective of this research is to design a system of indicators to measure the performance of science, technology and innovation in universities. The proposal includes specific analysis for the definition of each indicator, the mathematical procedure for its calculation, aggregation levels and time periods, as well as its meaning and usefulness. The study compiles documentary analysis of the theoretical and conceptual references that support
-
the proposal in the Latin American context. Furthermore, an empirical survey method is
proposed to assess specific contexts in the institution under study. As a result, the design of
a system of indicators adjusted to the characteristics of university institutions and current
trends in the Latin American region is achieved. The use and analysis of these indicators
allow us to establish patterns, trends and regularities in the organization that favour
institutional knowledge management on science, technology and innovation processes; and
deliver adequate information management and institutional knowledge for
decisionmaking.
Introduction
Much of the efforts of science itself focus on developing appropriate indicators that reflect
standardized measurement of scientific and technological activities at regional and
international level. However, inputs calculation is a task more closely related to economic
sciences, statistics and administration, which have largely world-wide standardized
methodologies and procedures. On the other hand, the theoretical-methodological concepts
of science intended to formulate indicators in science and technology make this a complex
and difficult undertaking
(Albornoz 2007; Chavarro et al. 2014; Moravcsik 1986; Spinak
2001; Peralta et al. 2015; Sancho 2003)
. Measurement techniques for research results have
been in existence for only a few decades and are not completely consolidated. There are
excellent standards set by bibliometrics, such as the patent metrics and scientometrics
expressed in indicators which are classified and applied to different situations, but there are
still pending issues for the accurate measurement of results at institutional level, adapted to
regional peculiarities, in addition to the use of other sources of information to establish
measurement indicators
(Rodr´ıgues and Mello 2016; Spinak 2001)
.
In essence, scientific results, the knowledge generated, their impact and benefits to
society are very difficult to quantify. However, the study of scientific literature (books,
articles, reports, patents, new products, etc.) gives an approximate measure of results. It is
usual to assess performance and productivity through the number of publications and
citations in specialized, international, refereed and indexed journals. This practice can
accurately reflect the work and quality of certain areas or fields such as physics, chemistry
and biomedicine. But in other specialties and fields of application (such as in the social
sciences) results and differentiated products are distributed through channels that are not
always scientific journals with broad international impact
(Gonza´lez and Molina 2009)
.
In bibliometrics, relevant methods have been established, as well as indicators and
patterns to follow in the application of measurement tools, using scientific publications and
traditional citation indexes which have been constantly improving
(Peralta et al. 2015)
.
From another perspective, innovative proposals can be found that use alternative
information sources for the application of indicators, such as the Curriculum Vitae (CV)
(Ba´ez
et al. 2008; Sempere and Rey-Rocha 2003; Rey-Rocha et al. 2006; Barandiara´n and
D Onofrio 2013; Sol´ıs et al. 2010; Picinin et al. 2016 (...truncated)