The implementation of management strategies in research units: The case of a research lab in a middle-sized university

In this paper we point out four key factors that influence on a research lab performance: 1) the political context, 2) the organization in which the research takes place, 3) the internal organization of the lab, and 4) the individuals who compose its structure. The research team ViCOROB (Computer Vision and Robotics Research Lab) of the University of Girona (Spain) suffered a change in its way of working in July 2008. The team received an excellence recognition from Government, awarded to be one of the most productive research teams of the region in terms of technology transfer performance. In order to maintain the level of competence, the team decided to change its internal organization, developing a high level change in terms of technology transfer organization as well as research skills and personnel growth. The present paper conducts a diagnosis on how this structural change influenced the team using a case study methodology. After two years from recognition, where the research team is continuously growing, we are able to analyse and highlight the key actors in the evolution of the research group´s performance.