Developing a performance measurement framework to enhance the impact orientation of the Food Research Institute, Ghana

Abstract

Research institutions in Ghana are facing various challenges. It is the contention that viable research and development institutions are needed for achieving sustainable change in areas of national importance. A key aspect of institutional viability is strong performance management. This implies clear and workable approaches to performance measurement. This paper looks at the initial experiences in a collaborative effort to develop a performance measurement framework for the Food Research Institute (FRI) and the application of the Balanced Score Card (BSC) at institutional level. The process of diagnosing and analysing institutional monitoring and evaluation capacity and systems is described using a mix of diagnostic tools. Stages in applying the BSC approach are documented and the added value of the scorecard perspectives in highlighting focal areas for performance measurement and management within FRI. These are placed in the context of ongoing changes in the external environment posing both threats and opportunities. Changes implied by the introduction of the concept are discussed in the context of current constraints and the way forward is mapped out in terms of enhancing FRIs' impact orientation through the application of improved performance measurement and management.

Performance measurement in the construction research and development

“…A number of studies have revealed that PM of R&D plays a vital role by influencing and helping organisations to implement their strategies (Bremser and Barsky, 2004;Pearson et al, 2000;Kerssens-van Drongelen et al, 2000;Kerssens-van Drongelen and Bilderbeek, 1999;Werner and Souder, 1997;Brown and Svenson, 1988). Yawson et al (2006) argue that PM for R&D activities provide the basis to assess whether the organisation is progressing towards its goals, identifies the strengths and weaknesses, decides on the future actions needed for improvements and provides data to request additional resources hence facilitating the implementation strategies.…”

Institutionalising Performance Management in R&D Organisations: Key Concepts and Aspects

“…A key aspect of institutional viability is strong performance management. This implies clear and workable approaches to performance measurement (Yawson et al 2006) The background to this paper is a DFIDfunded pilot action research project that ran between September 2001 and December 2002. The project aimed to adapt and test a novel approach to performance management within three agricultural research and development agencies (the Crops and Food Research Institutes in Ghana, and the National Banana Research Programme at Kawanda in Uganda).…”

The behaviors of multi-institute scientific organizations in nanotechnology

“…Some studies focus on the specific institute [7], but few studies analyze them from a comparative perspective.…”

“…LITERATURE REVIEW The literatures on research institutes similar to MISO focus on assessment and evaluation of research institutes. Some of these studies use particular methodologies and indicators [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].For example, Bassecoulard & Zitt [6] tested convergence of pure citation-built specialities on SCI/CMCI journals at the subfield level and explored the interest and the limit of the approach for upper levels of aggregation. Coccia [1] provided a new model to measure and evaluate research performance of public research institutes and applied the approach to 108 public research institutes belonging to the Italian National Research Council (INRC).Hayati & Ebrahimy [5] examined the correlations between quality and quantity in scientific production in three groups -universities, research institutes and other organizations.…”

“…Vinkler [4] provided a composite indicator by composing the qualitative and quantitative scientometric indicators for the assessment of publications of research teams or institutes. Yawson et al [7] developed a performance measurement framework for the Food Research Institute (FRI) and the application of the Balanced Score Card (BSC) at institutional level.…”