Metrics of R&D performance and management of public research labs

Nowadays in Italy the science sector is doing a strategic restructuring due to budget cuts. Thus, the measure and evaluation of research performance of its units (public research institute) is needed. Two general models to assess the R&D performance of a public research lab are presented here. These models could provide indications about the performance and than productivity of research labs. The Model II, an evolution of the model I, is successfully applied to 200 public research institutes belonging to the Italian National Research Council. These functions are tools for appropriate decisions and actions to improve research performance, especially by the more effective use of existing resources and for reducing the X-inefficiency. Some policy and management implications are discussed.