Enhancing research collaborations: Three key management challenges

Gabriele Bammer*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    124 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This conceptual paper explores three areas of research collaboration: (a) effectively harnessing differences, (b) setting defensible boundaries and (c) gaining legitimate authorization. The focus is on their potential lessons for individuals leading and managing research collaborations, evaluation of research partnerships and areas for further investigation. Examples from three partnerships - building the atomic bomb, the Human Genome Project and the World Commission on Dams - are used to highlight key elements of the ideas presented. The paper provides a framework for systematically thinking about integration of different perspectives and other elements essential to any particular collaboration. It also sketches out ideas for (1) managing differences which may destroy partnerships, (2) deciding what the collaboration should encompass, (3) understanding and accommodating forces which may distort what the collaboration is able to achieve, and (4) enlisting necessary supporters while preserving research independence.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)875-887
    Number of pages13
    JournalResearch Policy
    Volume37
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Enhancing research collaborations: Three key management challenges'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this