Determinants of research collaboration towards a knowledge-based economy in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the determinants of the intention of academic researchers to collaborate on research projects with the carriers of innovation. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach was employed to analyse survey data from 266 stratified sampled researchers and 11 key informants from different disciplines in two of Ghana’s public universities. Analysis of variance results showed a quite high intention to collaborate, with no statistically significant differences across disciplines. Regression results indicate that attitude was the leading predictor of intention to collaborate, and it was explained by the conviction and relevance attached to the capacity of research collaboration to speed up career advancement, to be a source of income and to be a means of advancing research work. Perceived behavioural control, explained by research capability and boundary-spanning skills, and environmental possibility, made up of funding, reward and administrative support, also influenced the intention of respondents to engage in research collaboration. The authors therefore propose that the universities should acknowledge and count research collaboration as a criterion in the promotion of academics and, together with national actors, should spearhead the establishment of a national research and innovation fund, research and innovation award schemes, and the requisite administrative support.