R&D career paths: Their relation to work goals and productivity

Organizational planning for technical personnel in large R&D units is often based on assumptions concerning the impact of age on their research productivity as well as shifts into administrative positions. In a study of nonacademic researchers in Israel, these relationships are used to identify persons proceeding along three possible career progressions: entering administration, remaining with research, and leaving the discipline. Comparing those on each path, administrators and veteran researchers show similar academic backgrounds. While mature researchers display a dual loyalty to organization and scientific community, the high productivity of these research stars can be said to have a strong influence on the success of a laboratory. The authors support the necessity for effective `dual ladder' structures, with those on each career line identified early on the basis of their work goals and productivity and given proper encouragement.