Factors influencing research collaborations in Kenyan universities

• Published in: Research policy 2018-02, Vol.47 (1), p.88-97
• Main Authors: Muriithi, Petronilla, Horner, David, Pemberton, Lyn, Wao, Hesborn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic scientists; Collaborative research; Developing countries
• ISSN: 0048-7333; 1873-7625
• DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2017.10.002

•Relatively high levels of collaborative research in Kenya.•Collaboration levels largely dependent on disciplinary area.•A major influence of external environment factors in decisions to collaborate. 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.