In search of performance : research management within the Dutch public medical and health sector

Dissertatie. The first part of this thesis sheds light on evaluation practices in Dutch (bio)medical and health research. It is shown that research groups have to deal with evaluation practices organised by various intermediary organisations as well as university bodies in all phases of the research process. Results reveal that some of the external research evaluation practices are copied and used in internal research evaluations. The organising bodies are subject to various changes in the way they interact, which in turn constantly influences the way evaluations are performed. The second part of the book focuses on the impact of managerial control on the performance of (bio)medical and health research groups. Special honours and non-financial prizes, which are offered by research leaders in order to motivate (bio)medical research staff members, have a positive relationship with performance. Results show that the disciplinary setting has an impact on the relationships between managerial control and group performance.