Factors Influencing Research Productivity among the Academic Staff: A Case Study at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam

Abstract

Vietnamese universities expect faculty to become more effective not only in teaching but also in research coordinating activities. However, there are some obstacles to research productivity, thus causing a low level of research outcomes. This study aims to explore the impact of institutional factors as well as personal career development factors on the research productivity of academic staff at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City). The analysis was conducted on a sample of 245 academic staff. Although respondents understood the importance of undertaking research and had a good attitude towards research, their research productivity was significantly affected by research experience, language barriers, and time spent on research. In addition, the research results clarified that the main factors that reduced the research productivity of academic staff were heavy teaching duties, lack of scholarly resources, and insufficient research funding. Furthermore, respondents emphasized that if they had better research funding, and regularly participated in academic meetings, they would have high research motivation which would ultimately increase their research productivity. The findings contribute to our understanding of research productivity in Vietnamese universities, which is useful for educational leaders.