Signs of Convergence? Images of the University in the Management of R&D

This paper examines the adoption of university images in a pharmaceutical R&D company, arguing that this may be intended to bring benefits to management. The author finds some irony in this, identifying tendencies within the UK higher education system to draw on the images and the practices of b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPrometheus (Saint Lucia, Brisbane, Qld.) Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 111 - 123
Main Author Randle, Keith
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Taylor and Francis Journals 01.04.1997
SeriesPrometheus
Subjects
management
organisational convergence
pharmaceuticals
scientists
university
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Summary:This paper examines the adoption of university images in a pharmaceutical R&D company, arguing that this may be intended to bring benefits to management. The author finds some irony in this, identifying tendencies within the UK higher education system to draw on the images and the practices of business and commerce in its own management. Drawing on empirical data from interviews at Pharmco, the paper argues that, in practice, the image cannot be sustained and competition in the pharmaceutical sector is leading to a disparity between the projected image and management practice. Management in both types of organisation, it concludes, are responding to their respective environments by tightening control.
ISSN:0810-9028
1470-1030
DOI:10.1080/08109029708632055