Improving research productivity of bottom-level academics through knowledge acquisition and sharing behaviours

Abstract

University rankings are heavily influenced by the research productivity of their academic staff, making it a strategic resource for enhancing their reputation and social impact. For bottom-level academics, publishing research in reputable journals is crucial for their academic and professional growth. The quality of their research output largely depends on acquiring knowledge from quality sources and sharing knowledge with colleagues both within and outside their universities. Unfortunately, research that primarily focuses on the research productivity of bottom-level academics and the factors that contribute to it has been hitherto ignored. This study investigates the relationship between knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and research productivity among bottom-level academics in selected universities in Ogun State, Nigeria. A correlational survey research design was employed. The population comprised 645 bottom-level academics from three universities in Ogun state. A sample size of 215 was obtained, and 178 properly filled questionnaires were returned. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings revealed high levels of knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing among the respondents. However, the overall mean level of research productivity was low, despite a high level of publications in learned journals. Correlation analysis results indicated a significant and positive relationship between knowledge acquisition and research productivity, and between knowledge sharing and research productivity. Multiple regression analysis showed that knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing had a combined effect on the research productivity of the respondents. The study concludes that knowledge acquisition and sharing significantly influence the research productivity of bottom-level academics in Ogun-State, Nigeria. Recommendations are presented based on these findings.

Keywords

• Knowledge acquisition
• knowledge sharing
• research productivity
• bottom-level academics
• universities
• Nigeria

Supporting Institution

Nil

References

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