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Managing research in an academic setting
The world apparently is divided into people of two species: "us" and "them." Or so I learned upon entering the world of the university.
The "us's" were the working faculty involved in research and teaching—involved in bringing the bacon in to keep the operation going and fulfilling the scholarly function of the university. The "them's" were the administrators or managers—otherwise known as "overhead,"—who were perched on the backs of the faculty, doing apparently unneeded activities, and just generally being considered an obstacle to the faculty's program.
But shades of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," everything is now utter confusion. The feds have entered the game with their 11th Commandment: Office of the President, Circular No. A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, Feb. 26, 1979—"each institution, in the fulfillment of its obligations, should employ sound management practice."
Even those in black robes, the Supreme Court, in what has come to be known as the Yeshiva University collective bargaining decision, have indicated that faculty are indeed management (and thus cannot be unionized under NLRB regulations)—that is, "us" may be "them," or is it vice versa? Of course, as things stand now, this legal confusion applies only to.private universities. The public university fortunately (?) can keep its clearly defined status quo decisions of "us's" and "them's."
We in academic scientific research probably are all managers—defining management as the planning and carrying out of activities to reach desired objectives, within certain time frames, based on some sensible logic pattern. We do this every day in practicing the "scientific method." A major problem with management is its rigidity or systemization, which then results in the application of the "system" to every situation and individual. Some have even called this systemization a semblance of the scientific method—"the Harvard Business School approach," named in honor of one of the leading institutional promulgators of management systems.
A guide for university
researchers offers sound
advice on how they can
run their business in
an efficient manner
"Development and Management of Research Groups: A Guide for University Researchers" by Robert V. Smith, University of Texas Press, Austin, Tex., 1980, 91 pages, $10.95 cloth, $7.95 paperback
Reviewed by Eli M. Pearce, professor of polymer chemistry and chemical engineering and head of the chemistry department at Polytechnic Institute of New York, who joined the faculty at PINY in 1974 after 16 years of doing and directing research and development in industry.
My experience basically has shown that "systems" (or is it "nonsystems") must be quite variable and should be highly dependent on situations and people—pretty much like an eclectic supermarket of systems. And where is this approach most true? In working with the very bright, motivated individuals found in research, whether in industry or in the university. With this approach, neither the managers nor the managed need to seek the psychoanalyst's sofa in trying to decide whether they are paranoid or neurotic, autocrats or participators, "us 's" or "thems." Good management is the result of reason and understanding on the part of all the participants in any undertaking.
Robert V. Smith, director of the Drug Dynamics Institute at the University of Texas, has performed a distinct service with his small new book that deals with planning strategies and management techniques for research in a university setting. He has provided us with material that
should make us think. And he's done it with style and brevity. This is a real advantage, since it will be difficult enough to attract an audience of university researchers because of their natural academic skepticism.
Having entered university research relatively recently, I found that entrance through the "ivy-covered" door required learning much of a new foreign language—unfortunately universities do not offer courses in "university language"—and everyone knows a language can best be learned by actually living in the milieu. But isn't it nice to have a dictionary. (Having entered from industrial research, I also noticed some notable differences—the independence of faculty, difficulties in breaking down barriers to multidisciplinary research, and the need to deal with innumerable committees before being able to promulgate change.)
Smith's book serves as both a primer and a check-list for university researchers. He assumes very little on the part of the readers and defines terms precisely. This precision should be appealing to scientists. For example, basics such as the differences between a grant as a "flexible instrument" and a research contract "to perform specific work" are discussed. And good, sound advice appears throughout for the novice university researcher: "Occasionally, Request-for-Proposal's (RFP's) have such specific objectives that they seem to have been written by an investigator already working in the area, which may be a clue that the contract is already activated." How many of us have been caught by this one?
Embryonic university researchers have many questions about running their business in an efficient way. This book presents wise suggestions that range from conducting telephone recommendations for post-doctoral positions to procuring equipment and handling research personnel. It may well be that interpersonal relationships within research groups are a relatively neglected area in scientific endeavors, where the eye is kept on concrete targets.
There is no doubt, in my mind, that enhanced research productivity has at least three components: intelligence, people handling, and luck. We
Nov. 10, 1980 C&EN 41
can't do much about the last; we receive good training for the first; but the middle item can well be the key to opening the lock to successful creative research and Smith's book at least makes us think about it.
The most underrated aspect of research management probably is the lack of confidence in the abilities of people, so we tend to make decisions for them, rather than having them learn and eventually develop "their" solutions—which may be uniquely different than ours, or may even be the same. But the university researcher has the important additional function of educating the researchers of the future and, in doing so, the gradual development of high levels of independence is required. Certain "mistakes" must be made as part of the learning process, and who of us has not been surprised and pleased by the occasional success of the scientific
Enzyme Engineering—Future Directions. Lemuel B. Wingard Jr., Ilia V. Berezin, Anatole A. Klyosov, editors, xiv + 521 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011.1980. $59.50.
Equipment Design Handbook for Refineries and Chemical Plants. 2nd Ed., Vol. 2. Frank L. Evans Jr. ix + 372 pages. Gulf Publishing Co., Book Division, Dept. P020, P.O. Box 2608, Houston, Tex. 77001. 1980. $32.95.
Food Industry Energy Alternatives. Robert P. Ouellette, Norman W. Lord, Paul N. Cher-emisinoff. 135 pages. Food & Nutrition Press, 265 Post Rd. West, Westport, Conn. 06880. 1980. $22.
From X-Rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries. Emilio Segre. ix + 337 pages. W. H. Freeman & Co., 660 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. 94104. 1980. $20. hardbound; $9.95 paperbound.
Gauge Fields: Introduction to Quantum Theory. L. D. Faddeev, A. A. Slavnov. xiii + 232 pages. Benjamin/Cummings Inc., Advanced Reading Program, Reading, Mass. 01867. 1980. $28.50.
Guide to the Noise Control Literature. Richard K. Miller. 148 pages. Fairmont Press, 4025 Pleasantdale Business Ctr., Suite 340, Atlanta, Ga. 30340. 1980. $24.95.
Health Hazards and Pollution Control in Synthetic Liquid Fuel Conversion. Perry Nowacki, editor, xiii + 511 pages. Noyes Data Corp., Mill Rd. at Grand Ave., Park Ridge, N.J. 07656. 1980. $54.
Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Polymers. H. W. Siesler, K. Holland-Moritz. viii + 389 pages. Marcel Dekker Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1980. $47.50.
Innovation and U.S. Research: Problems and Recommendations. ACS Symposium Series 129. W. Novis Smith, Charles F. Larson, editors, xx -I- 267 pages. American Chemical Society, 1155—16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. 1980. $26.75.
Inorganic Pigments—Manufacturing Processes. M. H. Gutcho, editor, xvi + 487
experiment that "we know can't work."
This may be viewed by some as "poor" management. The sensitive analysis by Smith of the needs of different types of personnel covers a number of important considerations but does not touch on this particular area of potential conflict—the university's goals in regard to education vs. its function as a producer of research. These are not in conflict, if one accepts the charge that research is a part of the total educational process and not the end in itself.
The essential challenge to university researchers is to manage their research successfully, with the education of the student as the primary focus. Today this is an especially difficult conceptual task with the many internal and external pressures weighing on the shoulders of both the researcher and the university. D
pages. Noyes Data Corp., Mill Rd. at Grand Ave., Park Ridge, N.J. 07656. 1980. $54.
Internal Fluid Flow. A. J. Ward-Smith, xxii + 566 pages. Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1980. $98.
Noise Control Solutions for the Chemical & Petroleum Industry. Richard K. Miller, Wayne V. Montone, Mark D. Oviatt. 113 pages. Southeast Acoustics Institute, Box 590, Madison, Ga. 30650. 1980. $45.
The Rare Earths in Modern Science and Technology. Vol. 2. Gregory J. McCarthy, James J. Rhyne, Herbert B. Silber, editors, xxiii + 647 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $59.50.
Recent Developments in Chromatography and Electrophoresis, 10. Alberto Frigerio, Malcolm McCamish, editors, ix + 342 pages. Elsevier North-Holland Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1980. $68.25.
Risk and Failure Analysis for Improved Performance and Reliability. John J. Burke, Volker Weiss, editors, xi + 355 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011.1980. $42.50.
Safety with Lasers and Other Optical Sources. David Sliney, Myron Wolbarsht. xxviii + 1035 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $49.50.
Science and Technology for Development: The Role of U.S. Universities. Robert P. Morgan. 416 pages. Pergamon Press, Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, N.Y. 10523. 1979. $32.
Stress Analysis of Polymers. 2nd Ed. J. G. Williams. 360 pages. John Wiley & Sons Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1980. $77.95.
Surges in High-Voltage Networks. Klaus Ragaller, editor, xxiii + 423 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $47.50.
Symmetries in Science. Bruno Gruber, Richard S. Millman, editors, ix + 495 pages.
Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $49.50.
Synthesis and Analysis Methods for Safety and Reliability Studies. G. Apostolakis, S. Garribba, G. Volta, editors, ix + 463 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $49.50.
Unconventional Natural Gas: Resources, Potential, and Technology. M. Satriana, editor, x + 358 pages. Noyes Data Corp., Mill Rd. at Grand Ave., Park Ridge, N.J. 07656. 1980. $42.
Variational Methods in Electron-Atom Scattering Theory. Robert K. Nesbet. x + 228 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1980. $32.50.
Vitamin B6: Metabolism and Role in Growth. George P. Tryfiates, editor. 377 pages. Food & Nutrition Press, 265 Post Rd. West, Westport, Conn. 06880. 1980. $49.
Water-Based Industrial Finishes—Recent Developments. M. T. Gillies, editor, xii + 435 pages. Noyes Data Corp., Mill Rd. at Grand Ave., Park Ridge, N.J. 07656. 1980. $48.
What Every Engineer Should Know About Microcomputers: Hardware/Software Design: A Step-by-Step Example. William S. Bennett, Carl F. Evert Jr. vii + 175 pages. Marcel Dekker Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1980. $9.75.
Work and the Health of Women. Vilma R. Hunt. 236 pages. CRC Press, 2000 N.W. 24th St., Boca Raton, Fla. 33431. 1979. $64.95.
Paperbacks A Brief Guide to Sources of Scientific and Technical Information. 2nd Ed. Saul Herner. xi 4- 160 pages. Information Resources Press, 1700 North Moore St., Arlington, Va. 22209. 1980. $15.
Chemistry: A Systematic Approach—Study Guide. William H. Myers, William T. Mooney Jr. 433 pages. Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1980. $7.95.
Hazards to Your Health: The Problem of Environmental Disease. James Gorman. 70 pages. New York Academy of Sciences, 2 East 63rd St., New York, N.Y. 10021. 1979. $4.00.
Hydroboration. Herbert C. Brown, xiv + 321 pages. Benjamin/Cummings Inc., Advanced Book Program, Reading, Mass. 01867. 1980. $19.50.
Introduction to Bioinstrumentation, with Biological, Environmental, and Medical Applications. Clifford D. Ferris, xiv + 330 pages. Humana Press Inc., P.O. Box 2148, Clifton, N.J. 07015.1978. $19.50.
Nucleic Acid Constituents by High Performance Chromatography. C. Timothy Wehr. 108 pages. Varian Associates Inc., 10060 Bubb Rd., Cupertino, Calif. 95014. 1980. $10.
Oil on Troubled Waters: A Bibliography on the Effects of Surface-Active Films on Surface-Wave Motions. John C. Scott. 83 pages. Multi-Science Publishing Co., The Old Mill, Dorset PL, London E1'5 1DJ, England. 1979. £10.
Preparation for Pesticide Certification Examination. Austin M. Frishman. 161 pages. ARCO Publishing Inc., 219 Park Ave. South, New York, N.Y. 10003.1980. $10.
42 C&ENNov. 10, 1980
Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Ψ
No late show, no trout streams, no weekends at Grandmas.
But here's the great life that makes Aramco people stay on and on.
I If you've never con-jsidered working in I Saudi Arabia because you think life there would deprive you of too many things, con-
. ΑΛ„ sider this. 4,000 North Americans work for
Aramco in Saudi Arabia, and the number "s growmg. They are there for the excellent money, career opportunities, and vacation travel most people only dream about.
What kind of projects do Aramco employees work on?
They work on many of the world's largest and most challenging projects
The Government of Saudi Arabia and Aramco are jointly engaged in incredibly large energy-related undertakings, and in many other industrial ventures which no one else in the world has e v ^ attempted before.
Exactly where is Ras Tanura9
Located on the gulf coast of Saudi Arabia Ras Tanura is Aramco's principal crude oil refining and terminaling center-one of the largest such facilities in the world.
On /heir 40-day paid vacations every 12 < ; months, A ramco people
Iront Ras Tanuru can ski Europe's
*«• , W ? " " " • Alnc<"r<»" <'<"™ lo Aswan, see the Orient, or visit hack home.
Does Aramco's paycheck justify moving to Saudi Arabia?
It certainly does! t J ^ f * 3, rase s a l a r y comPetitive with top U.S. oil firms, and an overseas cost-of-livmg differential as well. On top of that, Aramco pays a fully tax-protected incentive of up to 40% for overseas employment.
Here's another benefit: new Aramco employees for Saudi Arabia receive a onetime, lump-sum Overseas Employment
^ e Î U P t O S 5 ' 0 0 0 t h a t i s f u l l y t a -If you don't want to move your family
overseas right away, you can work on a bachelor" status for one year. We'll fly you home three times to talk it
over with your family and, after a year or perhaps sooner, you can all decide whether life overseas is for you or not.
The money sounds great, but where can you spend it when you're
living in Saudi Arabia? Most Aramco people travel extensively on their 40 days of vacation every 12 Vi months, and on long weekends
They travel to places in Europe, Asia and Africa that most people only dream about or see in magazines.
And sometimes they visit the many local places of interest: oasis towns, desert jibels, ancient potters' caves, picturesque tishing villages, and sites of ancient civilizations.
CHALLENGE BYCHOICE
ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
Do Aramco employees live in housing that's different from what
they're used to? Living is comfortable in American-style communities similar to towns in the U S Sun Belt. It may take a number of months' and several moves to get the permanent residence you want, but you'll always be in a comfortable, well-maintained home.
Doesn't a child's education suffer living so far away?
Not a bit! Children in Aramco Schools not only get a quality education in American-style schools, but also benefit trom the cultural experience of attending school with children from many parts of North America and the world.
What are the medical facilities like? Aramco's medical and dental facilities are as modern as you will find almost any-
n^eue· T hu 3 6 3 " b e d A r a m c o hospital at Dhahran has the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment, and it is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
What jobs are open at Aramco today? Challenging jobs, probably unduplicated anywhere, are open for scores of engineers in construction, project management operations, plants, refineries and maintenance in the areas of oil and gas operations, communications, utilities, and many others
We need all sorts of support personnel too: vocational trainers, accountants, medical personnel, communications and transportation specialists, and many more.
Interested in making more, saving more traveling more? Write for an application' or send your résumé, in confidence, to· Aramco Services Company, Department' CEN111080MCLA, 1100 M Î l a m K ï Î Houston, Texas 77002.
Nov. 10, 1980 C&EN 43
