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Research or management? An investigation of the impact of leadership roles on the research performance of academic administrators

Author

Listed:
  • Wen Lou

    (East China Normal University
    East China Normal University)

  • Yuehua Zhao

    (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
    Nanjing University)

  • Yuchen Chen

    (East China Normal University)

  • Jin Zhang

    (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee)

Abstract

This study quantitatively investigated whether the research performance of academic administrators (leaders) was affected by their administrative services. We sampled 111 academic administrators, including 90 department deans and 21 university presidents, from 26 universities. These leaders’ research performance was determined by the number of their publications and citations in the Web of Science databases. To compare the effect on their research performance by their administrative roles, we proposed four periods: the pre-position period, the latest position period, the reference period, and the in-position period. Statistical methods were applied to compare the research performance of the sampled administrators before and after they accepted the current administrative roles. The results suggest that 80% of academic leaders’ productivity and citation have fallen by 42 and 62% averagely. The extent of such impact varied in different disciplines. Leaders’ performance in medicine fields has declined the most (60%). The impact on research productivity appeared to be stronger for administrators serving in higher-ranking universities. In addition, the research performance of both university presidents and department deans were substantially influenced by their administrative services.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Lou & Yuehua Zhao & Yuchen Chen & Jin Zhang, 2018. "Research or management? An investigation of the impact of leadership roles on the research performance of academic administrators," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 117(1), pages 191-209, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:117:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-018-2842-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2842-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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