Resumen

ALTOPIEDI, Mariana; HERNANDEZ-DE LA-TORRE, Elena  y  LOPEZ-YANEZ, Julián. Relevant characteristics of distinguished research groups in Andalusia. Rev. iberoam. educ. super [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.16, pp.126-142. ISSN 2007-2872.

This article tries to show some of the results of research work about the characteristics and institutional dynamics of 101 Andalusian research groups considered as group of excellence by the regional government of Andalusia, Spain. The study was developed in two stages. The first one was based on a questionnaire answered by thepersons responsible for 46 out of these 101 outstanding research groups, and the second stage consisted of a study of multiple cases. We present the results related to the internal characteristics of said groups: composition, human and material resources, social dynamics, operation style, etc..The analysis and interpretation of the results enabled the characterization of the Andalusian research groups in terms of their dynamics and predominant leadership style, as well as the identification of factors that determine the achievement of excellence and the visibility in each of their academic fields. It also suggests lines of research that should be explored in greater detail.

Palabras llave : research groups; academic excellence; visibility in the scientific field; determinants of research work; institutional dynamics; Spain.