Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology

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Browsing Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology by Author "Ankamah-Lomotey, Vincent Anum"

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    Research uptake management: a strategic framework for institutionalising research uptake at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Ankamah-Lomotey, Vincent Anum; Mouton, Johann; Grobbelaar, Sara; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology & Social Anthropology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examined the issue of research uptake and research uptake management with particular reference to how these can be institutionalised within an organisation. The focus was to propose a strategic framework that identifies pathways and activities necessary for research uptake suitable for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. The broader impact of the study is its implication to the management of research. Generally, research is aimed at advancing knowledge, influencing policy, improving practice and resolving socio-economic problems. The expectation that knowledge produced by universities and research institutes should affect human life has led to the increasing demand for knowledge utilisation. Ghana’s foremost technological institution, KNUST, was set up to provide the necessary technological manpower and knowledge for the labour market. Essentially, its mandate is to provide higher education, undertake research, disseminate knowledge and foster relationships with stakeholders. Undertaking research and disseminating knowledge imply taking research beyond the confines of the laboratory and publication in refereed journals to society. Developmental research for which KNUST is noted has to reach other major stakeholders, such as small and medium-scale industry, farmers and policymakers. The management of research in the university ought to make this a priority. The aim of the study was to address the problem of research uptake and utilisation by examining the need for a policy framework to institutionalise research uptake at KNUST. The proposed framework takes a critical look at the planning and generation of developmental research at KNUST and the mechanisms and activities necessary for research uptake. The study, which employed a survey and interviews with researchers at KNUST, established that the expected areas of research impact are solving environment and social problems, influencing policy, influencing practice and solving immediate and technical problems. However, the extent to which researchers have been successful in these areas was found to be below expectation compared to advancement of knowledge and solving theoretical problems, which seemed to be the main focus of researchers. It was found that, although there are several areas where the university can play a role in local and national development, the research agenda and focus of researchers at KNUST as well as of faculties and colleges are aimed at advancement of knowledge and solving theoretical problems. There were however, a few examples of research that had influenced national policy and practice. A policy shift is therefore necessary to correct this if the university is to make an appreciable impact on society. It was observed that, as far as engagement with stakeholders is concerned, researchers engage mostly with scientists and researchers from other universities and research institutes. The mechanisms and channels of engagement varied from stakeholder to stakeholder and from faculty to faculty. Generally, it seems researchers at KNUST mostly engage through conferences, workshops and seminars. Researchers generally consider it very beneficial if their research provides opportunities for further research, opens avenues for collaboration and funding, their research is used, and if it influences practice. In order for acceptance, adoption and possible use of research findings, researchers largely agree that stakeholders should be involved in the research process at the research formulation and proposal stages. The most common reason given for stakeholders not using research findings that could be beneficial to them was attributed to financial constraints on the side of researchers and stakeholders for dissemination and implementation of research findings. From the findings, a policy framework for institutionalising research uptake is proposed. This framework incorporates pathways, mechanisms and channels of engagement that facilitate research uptake.