The role of leaders in building research cultures in sub-Saharan African universities: A six-nation study

Puplampu, Bill Buenar; Nkomo, Stella; du Plessis, Yvonne; Kabagabe, Jolly Byarugaba; Garwe, Evelyn Chiyevo; Namada, Juliana; Ogunyemi, Kemi; Thondhlana, Juliet; Abdul-Nasiru, Inusah; Agina, Añulika; Amponsah-Tawiah, Kwesi; Danesi, Rosemary; Gameli Djokoto, Justice; Diana Duncan, Denise; Lekunze, Joseph; McGrath, Simon; Ndegwa, Joyce; Ngowa, Nancy; Ntow, Michael Ofori; Ayieta Ondondo, Emily; Rena, Ravinder; Sandada, Maxwell

Abstract

Existing research attributes the problem of weak research productivity of academics in African universities primarily to institutional resource poverty and inadequate research skills. However, there has been little attention to research cultures and the role of leaders in fostering productive ones. Drawing from the literature on organizational culture, this study examines the role of university leaders in developing research cultures. The study explores how institution leaders do this within the higher education contexts in their countries. The empirical work is based on qualitative interviews with senior and mid-level university leaders in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. While all of the leaders espoused clear views about the elements of a productive research culture, results indicate a significant gap remains between espoused values for research and the actual research culture. Theoretically, the research extends the concept of research cultures by demonstrating the complex dynamics between research cultures, culture embedding mechanisms, and leader behavior within contextual constraints.

Citation

Puplampu, B. B., Nkomo, S., du Plessis, Y., Kabagabe, J. B., Garwe, E. C., Namada, J., …Sandada, M. (2022). The role of leaders in building research cultures in sub-Saharan African universities: A six-nation study. Africa Journal of Management, 8(2), 171-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322373.2022.2039050

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 19, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 19, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 3, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 19, 2022
• Journal: Africa Journal of Management
• Print ISSN: 2332-2373
• Electronic ISSN: 2332-2381
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 171-193
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322373.2022.2039050
• Keywords: Management of Technology and Innovation; Strategy and Management; Business and International Management
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8135381
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23322373.2022.2039050
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rajm20; Received: 2020-06-08; Accepted: 2021-10-19; Published: 2022-03-19