GESTIÓN DE UN CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN COOPERATIVA MEDIANTE EL USO DE INDICADORES

Abstract

A Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is an organization constituted by different concurrent agents as universities, technological centres, corporations, R&D units, etc. whose aim is to promote and coordinate cooperative research by facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology and ultimately innovation. While many CRCs arise around an emerging technology, some other times they just develop new research lines based on established technologies.

These organizations, usually supported by public funds, require total transparency about the investments as well as the administrative and research costs. Besides, the management of the centres themselves need data and information to effectively manage their projects and activities allowing strategic adjustments and improvements in structures and processes. In that context, the question is, What indicators and what type of then (indicators related with excellence, output, market, etc.) are needed to evaluate the work developed in a CRC?

The aim of this paper is to analyse the management of the necessary Scientific and Technological Indicators in order to monitor the developed activity carried out by the members of the CRC, ensure that human and financial resources are properly used and finally evaluate the benefit to society. Keywords: Cooperative Research Centre; CRC; Cooperation; Research; R&D; Indicators