Title: Scientific and technical human capital: an alternative model for research evaluation

Authors: Barry Bozeman, James S. Dietz, Monica Gaughan

Addresses: School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Division of Social Sciences, Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, GA, USA

Abstract: We provide an alternative model for evaluating science and technology projects and programs. Our approach, a ||scientific and technical human capital|| (S&T human capital) model, gives less attention to the discrete products and immediate outcomes from scientific projects and programs - the usual focus of evaluations - and more attention to scientists| career trajectories and their sustained ability to contribute and enhance their capabilities. S&T human capital encompasses not only the individual human capital endowments but also researchers| tacit knowledge, craft knowledge, and know-how. S&T human capital further includes the social capital that scientists continually draw upon in creating knowledge - for knowledge creation is neither a solitary nor singular event. In sum, it is this expanded notion of human capital when paired with a productive social capital network that enables researchers to create and transform knowledge and ideas in ways that would not be possible without these resources. We review literature contributing to an S&T human capital model and consider some of the practical data and measurement issues entailed in implementing such an approach.

Keywords: human capital; social capital; R&D policy; evaluation methods.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2001.002988

International Journal of Technology Management, 2001 Vol.22 No.7/8, pp.716-740

Published online: 09 Jul 2003 *

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