The beauty of measurements

Abstract

Purpose

There is a clear focus upon increasing research output, improving research quality and securing closer interaction between universities and the private market of businesses. Research should be evaluated according to usefulness and relevant criteria, where increased competition between universities and business schools for research grants should be established, such that the greatest number of publications, with the highest impact factors and most citations trigger most funding. Measurements and rankings have become hot topics for universities and business schools – this paper aims to discuss possible measurements and ranking impact for research and education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses development trends in research and education based upon available research literature and analyses a brief questionnaire‐survey completed by professors from 13 different European countries, which includes quantitative and qualitative features.

Findings

There is a clear trend towards publishing research in high‐ranked journals and developing student financed MBA programmes. However, there is a conflict between the political objectives of trying to connect universities and business schools with industry, while supplying further incentives to fund research grants through, for instance, publications and citations.

Research limitations/implications

Given a continued policy of furthering research merely for publication in high‐rankling journals, the consequence may be a widening gap between research output and its practical relevance.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel data and evidence for the issue of European research development.

Citation

Stentoft Arlbjørn, J., Freytag, P. and Damgaard, T. (2008), "The beauty of measurements", European Business Review, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 112-127. https://doi.org/10.1108/09555340810858261