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The transition into management by scientists and engineers: A misallocation or efficient use of human resources?
Author(s) -
Roberts Karen
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
human resource management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.888
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-050X
pISSN - 0090-4848
DOI - 10.1002/hrm.3930330406
Subject(s) - transition (genetics) , business , human resource management , human resources , knowledge management , environmental resource management , engineering management , environmental economics , management , computer science , engineering , environmental science , economics , chemistry , biochemistry , gene
A theme in the career paths of scientists and engineers is their transition into management. This transition is described as difficult both for those who make it and for those who do not. This article uses Human Research Information System data from a large research & development firm to explore an alternative perspective in which the transition is seen as an efficient human resource promotion strategy. The results support the alternative explanation and indicate that the policy serves the firm well in allocating human resources. The results suggest that good technical employees tend to become good managers and that if coupled with aggressive training for those technical employees who do not move into management, the best workers stay with the firm.