Curran PJ "Competition in UK higher education: applying Porter's diamond model to geography departments" STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION 26 (2): 223-251 JUN 2001

[Eugene Garfield]

P.J. Curran : P.curran at soton.ac.uk

TITLE      Competition in UK higher education: applying Porter's diamond
           model to geography departments
AUTHOR     Curran PJ
JOURNAL    STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION 26 (2): 223-251 JUN 2001

 Document type: Article     Language: English     Cited References: 64
Times Cited: 0


Abstract:
In a linked paper (Curran, 2000) Porter's diamond model of competitive
advantage was proposed as a framework with which
to evaluate the research performance of departments in UK higher education
institutions. This article discusses the application
of this model to an initial dataset of thirty-six departmental and
institutional variables (later reduced to eight) for sixty-eight
departments of geography. Approximately two-thirds of the variability in the
results of the 1996 research assessment exercise
(RAE) was accounted for using quantitative measures, leaving approximately
one-third of the variability accounted for by the
judgement of the RAE panel. These quantitative and qualitative measures were
used to locate departments of geography along
a spectrum of development from factor-driven (similar performance to that of
institution as only factor conditions in place) to
investment-driven (heavy investment leading to an upgrade of factor
conditions, demand conditions and departmental strategy,
structure and rivalry) to innovation-driven (four corners of diamond in
place leading to continuous innovation/upgrading) and
finally wealth-driven (seeking advantage through accumulated wealth leading
to gradual decline). The most research successful
departments were those in the innovation-driven stage. UK geography was seen
to have a large proportion of its departments
in the investment-driven stage with several in, or moving into, the
innovation-driven stage. This bodes well for the future vitality
of the discipline.

KeyWords Plus:
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, BRITISH

Addresses:
Curran PJ, Univ Southampton, Dept Geog, Southampton SO17 1BJ, Hants, England
Univ Southampton, Dept Geog, Southampton SO17 1BJ, Hants, England

Publisher:
CARFAX PUBLISHING, BASINGSTOKE

IDS Number:
444BF

ISSN:
0307-5079