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Factors influencing research collaborations in Kenyan universities

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  • Muriithi, Petronilla
  • Horner, David
  • Pemberton, Lyn
  • Wao, Hesborn

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an exploration of factors influencing the organisation and conduct of academic research collaborations in Kenya. A mixed methods research design, involving 248 academics in four disciplines across four major public Kenyan universities, was employed. The study reveals a relatively high level of collaborative research which varies by disciplinary areas. Resource dependence emerged as having a strong influence on decisions to collaborate for this community. This was mainly attributed to low levels of investment in funding research, at both the institutional and national level. At the institutional level, inadequate policies, high levels of bureaucracy, competition among local institutions, weak links with industry, and a major focus on teaching as opposed to research, were reported as barriers to collaborative research. These contextual issues informed the resulting discussion of factors that affect collaborative research in Kenya.

Suggested Citation

  • Muriithi, Petronilla & Horner, David & Pemberton, Lyn & Wao, Hesborn, 2018. "Factors influencing research collaborations in Kenyan universities," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 88-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:47:y:2018:i:1:p:88-97
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2017.10.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Revet, Karine & Bodas-Freitas, Isabel Maria & Chollet, Barthélemy & D'Este, Pablo, 2023. "Exploring resource seeking in a scientific collaboration network and its effect on scientists' knowledge creation," INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) Working Paper Series 202311, INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), revised 15 May 2024.
    3. Elizabeth S. Vieira, 2022. "International research collaboration in Africa: a bibliometric and thematic analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(5), pages 2747-2772, May.
    4. Borah, Dhruba & Malik, Khaleel & Massini, Silvia, 2021. "Teaching-focused university–industry collaborations: Determinants and impact on graduates’ employability competencies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(3).
    5. Wentian Shi & Wenlong Yang & Debin Du, 2020. "The Scientific Cooperation Network of Chinese Scientists and Its Proximity Mechanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Borah, Dhruba & Malik, Khaleel & Massini, Silvia, 2019. "Are engineering graduates ready for R&D jobs in emerging countries? Teaching-focused industry-academia collaboration strategies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    7. Jorge Cerdeira & João Mesquita & Elizabeth S. Vieira, 2023. "International research collaboration: is Africa different? A cross-country panel data analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(4), pages 2145-2174, April.

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