Journal of Research Management and Governance

Framework to Humanise Research Support in Academic Institutions

2024-02-21T21:28:33+08:00

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to identify the attributes to build a successful research management ecosystem, to understand the extent to which identified attributes contribute to successful research support environment, and to develop a framework for strong research management in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Methodology

This study used a mixed-method approach. Through recorded discussion with academics and non-academics involved in research and research support, we identified the areas to be addressed for an efficient research experience. We then conducted a pilot study with 50 participants to validate the findings from the qualitative analysis.

Findings

We found that a research management ecosystem system requires ethical conduct from individuals and an ethical culture which is grounded on honourable behaviour of all organisational participants. This is not only aligned to Malaysian codes of responsible conduct in research but is also in accordance with existing guidelines. A new framework is suggested in this paper based on which, universities can create a research ecosystem that balances global goals with local relevance, resulting in a collaborative working model that is more strategic.

Editor's Remarks

2024-12-30T19:58:07+08:00

It is our distinct pleasure to welcome you to the latest issue of the Journal of Research Management and Governance (JRMG). As we navigate an increasingly challenging research landscape, the importance of effective research management has never been more apparent.

Setting the Benchmark: A Comparative Analysis of Research Performance Indicators between Leading World Research Universities and Top-Ranked Research Universities in Malaysia

2024-02-21T21:29:28+08:00

The National Higher Education Strategic Plan 2007-2020 and the Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025 aim to strengthen research and innovation in Malaysian universities, positioning them as world-class institutions. As a result of these national initiatives, six Malaysian universities have been ranked among the top 500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024. This paper examines the institutional research performance of the top-ranked Malaysian universities in comparison to the leading world universities. Ten top-ranked world and Malaysian universities were identified based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Bibliometric indicators from Elsevier's SciVal were used to compare research performance among these universities from 2018 to 2023. The results indicate that the leading world universities outperform the top-ranked Malaysian universities in areas such as scholarly output, citation counts, and research impact measured by citations and publication in top journal percentiles. They are pioneers in their respective subject areas, with citations of their publications being twice the world average. Malaysian universities are active in international co-authorship but show lower impact, reflecting a growing yet developing academic influence compared to leading world universities. The publication landscape of the world's leading universities is dominated by the subject areas of Medicine, and Physics and Astronomy. Malaysian universities demonstrate a broader range of subject area preferences, with a strong emphasis on Engineering. By benchmarking against the world's leading institutions, Malaysian universities can identify areas for research improvements to enhance their world rankings.

Reshaping Research Ecosystems: Recommendations for Equitable Recognition of Non-STEM Research in Higher Institution Management

2024-01-15T11:51:01+08:00

Historically, the trend in academia towards measurable measures has marginalised non-STEM, arts, and humanities subjects, often at the price of their inherent academic principles and capabilities. This review of the literature explores the shift in university policies and practises, emphasising the need for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to research administration. This study analyses a variety of scientific articles using an extensive keyword search on Lens.org to evaluate the obstacles and recommendations for equal career progression in non-STEM disciplines. The findings indicate a rising appreciation for the multifaceted nature of knowledge and the significance of varied academic contributions. The study highlights the importance of widening the concept of research impact, including qualitative evaluations, and embracing interdisciplinary approaches. It also discusses the impact of university rankings and the incorporation of SDGs in reframing the value of non-STEM disciplines. In addition, the study suggests practical methods for university administrators, such as the creation of customised appraisal forms, customised career trajectories, and equal resource allocation. The study finishes by considering the future role of the arts and humanities in an increasingly automated and technologically driven world, emphasising the relevance of human values and ethical considerations in societal growth. This study adds to the discussion about developing a balanced and human-centred approach to research management, calling for the recognition and support of all academic disciplines in the changing landscape of higher education.

Empowering Research Ecosystems: Profiles and Bibliometrics Analysis of Research Officers at Universiti Malaya

2024-09-19T18:51:09+08:00

The future trajectory of Universiti Malaya (UM) as a prominent regional research institution in Malaysia is intricately intertwined with the expertise and contributions of its research workforce, including the Research Officers (ROs). Given the pivotal role played by ROs in UM's research and innovation landscape, this paper briefly highlights an overview of their general roles in empowering UM's research and innovation landscape. The UM's ROs were profiled according to their gender, educational background, position, and grade. The study employs bibliometric analysis using data from the Scopus database to examine the scholarly output of ROs, focusing on their H-index, research fields, and the number of scientific publications produced between 2018 and 2022. The bibliometric impact analysis was performed by focusing on the citation of the publications, joint-publications network, and correlation of publications' contribution between the ROs over all the researchers in UM. The profile analysis indicates that ROs in UM are dominated by females, with postgraduate education qualification, and mostly holding entry-level positions (grade 41). The impact analysis shows that UM's ROs had an international network with 27% of their publications being jointly authored with international collaborators. They consistently contribute dto scholarly output by showing a coherent trend with the overall publication of UM. This work highlights the significant role of ROs in a Malaysian research university, setting the benchmark for other national universities in enhancing the credibility of ROs in achieving research and innovation excellence.