Evaluating the Effect of Implementing an Integrated Management Approach During the Transition of a Scientific and Practical Institution to the Performance of R&D Projects

Abstract

The research objective was to evaluate the effect of implementing a set of management decisions during the transition of a scientific and practical institution from research to R&D projects. We carried out a longitudinal sociological study using the double-survey method. The survey was conducted before and after the implementation of a structured set of systemic measures to improve the efficiency of R&D activities. We have implemented this set because of the transition of our institution from the stage of research work to the stage of both research and development projects. Ideas of matrix and participative management were included in this set of measures. The survey assessed employees’ awareness of the 2023–2025 R&D plan, their needs to implement the plan and job satisfaction score as well as the level of their understanding of risks and their impact on the possibility to fulfill the plan. Due to the deployment of a set of systemic measures, employees’ awareness of participation in the R&D plan implementation increased from 73.6% to 90.0%, and their awareness of the plan’s content grew from 50.0% to 76.0%. A consequence of the implementation of participative management was that employees became aware of their needs to fulfill the plan as well as of the risks of not reaching its targets. Their satisfaction with the plan implementation conditions increased from 69.0% to 77.0% and the confidence in the possibility to implement the plan successfully grew from 55.0% to 92.0%. Matrix management allowed for a timely assessment of the organization’s future needs and increasing the research staff. This resulted in meeting the 2023 targets. Long-term planning of research work is a necessary component for the development of a scientific and practical institution, the organization of knowledge-intensive production and the reduction of the time between the acquisition of new knowledge and the creation of products and technologies and their entry into the market. The uniquely designed set of systemic measures increases not only the efficiency of research work, but also the performance of the employees, promotes their professional development and creates conditions for their personal advancement.