000			01652pab a2200157 454500
008			180718b2001 xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aSmith, Peter
245			_aPriority setting in agricultural research: beyond economic surplus methods
260			_c2001
300			_ap.419-28
362			_aDec
520			_aThe article examines the issue of priority setting in Third World agricultural research organizations, for those research sectors and topics which - mainly because of the difficulty of quantifying benefits - are outside the domain of economic surplus and benefit/cost techniques. The issue is redefined as one of processing ill-structured decisions, i.e., decisions in which there is no unique, identifiable, objectively optimal solution. The implications of this for the concept of rational action in this field are explored, and the results used to define a practical approach. This centres on a radical review of the possible options and criteria in priority setting, using four techniques (challenge, groups, repertory grid, creativity techniques and flow charting). The final section of the article examines the decision-making aspects of these techniques in three priority-setting contexts of increasing difficulty; within a department, where the issue is essentially one of technical choice between competing research lines; within a major institute or research sector, where there is substantial competition for resources; and in an institute or sector which is facing a crisis of resources or relevance. - Reproduced
650			_aAgricultural research
773			_aPublic Administration and Development
909			_a51788
999			_c51788 _d51788