A typology of principal investigators based on their human capital: an exploratory analysis

María José Foncubierta-Rodríguez, Fernando Martín-Alcázar and José Luis Perea-Vicente ()
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María José Foncubierta-Rodríguez: University of Cádiz
Fernando Martín-Alcázar: University of Cádiz
José Luis Perea-Vicente: University of Cádiz

The Journal of Technology Transfer, 2023, vol. 48, issue 3, No 5, 932-954

Abstract: Abstract There is burgeoning literature on principal investigators (PIs) and their influential role in science, technology transfer and research commercialisation. However, there is yet no analysis of this actor from the perspective of their human capital (HC), i.e., the combination of knowledge, abilities and skills that they possess. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by identifying whether a range of different PI profiles exists, based on their different HC. A cluster analysis was developed using a database comprised of 224 PIs of research teams, from a wide range of scientific fields. Three different PI profiles were identified, research-oriented PIs, accomplished PIs, management-focused PIs. The relationship between each of these profiles and their performance was analysed at both individual and research team level, and our findings reinforce the idea that there is not a size that fits all. Indeed, contrary to the ‘more is better’ statement, higher levels of HC are not necessarily connected to better results, our findings suggested an adequate combination of HC as the best option for PIs. Results of the relationship between PI gender, performance and the three different PI profiles have been examined, as well.

Keywords: Principal investigator; Profiles; Human capital; Cluster analysis; Research team; Gender; Performance; Academic entrepreneurship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C38 J16 J24 L9 M1 O30 O31 O32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10961-022-09935-z

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