PERSONAL VALUE SPACE OF SCIENTISTS WORKING IN INDIAN R&D ORGANIZATIONS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The present study attempts to examine the value system of scientists working in a research and development (R&D) laboratory functioning under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, a public-funded research organization system.  The focus of the study is on, first, the examination of selected items that are viewed as high/low in importance in the value space of scientists; and second, relating the value system with the background demographic data of the scientists.  A 61-item questionnaire developed for the purpose was used to collect information on the scientists’ value system classified into five groups of items – goals of the R&D organization, groups of people, ideas associated with people, personal goals of individuals, and ideas about general topics.  The results indicate that the majority of scientists are ‘moralistic’ perhaps due to the work environment in the organization that has helped them to develop a moralistic view with increase in their length of service.  The view that scientists should adopt a ‘pragmatic’ approach and look for success as the ultimate objective of scientific life is not supported by our research.  The study results hold critical implications for the management of R&D organizations.