A comparison of organizational structure and the effectiveness of state-funded advanced technology research grant programs.

摘要

This study examined advanced technology research grant programs in eight selected states and explored the relationship between of program effectiveness as measured by dollars leveraged and five organizational configurations as proposed by Mintzberg (1979). During the course of the study, additional characteristics of the organizations housing the advanced technology research grant programs and the programs themselves were also investigated. Organizational characteristics included organizational structure and mission; program characteristics included program goals, environment, level of funding, effectiveness, and leveraged funds per appropriation.;The selected states included: Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. A preliminary survey of key informants in all 50 states was used to identify existing and recommended evaluation criteria for determining the effectiveness of advanced technology research grant programs. A second survey of key state officials in the eight states identified structural and other characteristics of the organizations and the sub-units that administered these programs. Pertinent documents covering ten years of program operations were reviewed. Follow-up interviews were conducted.;Results of the data analysis did not support the hypotheses that (1) programs administered by organizations whose missions focused on higher education would be more effective than programs administered by organizations whose missions focused on science and technology or economic development, respectively, and (2) programs were most effective in organizations whose characteristics corresponded completely with one of the five structural configurations by Mintzberg (1979). It may be that these programs are so well integrated among the three missions in their program implementation and through heavy reliance on higher education resources (e.g., college and university researchers and laboratories) in each state in order to achieve program goals. It also may be that the critical factor contributing to program effectiveness is how closely the program's structural configuration matches Mintzberg's Professional Bureaucracy. Further study to examine the relationship between level of correspondence with characteristics of the Professional Bureaucracy and program effectiveness is recommended.