Study of Factors that Affect the Performance of Researchers in Mexican Private Universities
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Sánchez Garcia, Jaqueline Yvette
Ramírez Nafarrete, Adrián
Type
text::thesis::doctoral thesis
Abstract
The broad offer of private universities in Mexico increases the pressure for
institutions to stand out for their quality. Pursuing national and international
accreditations is a strategy frequently used by deans to position their
institutions globally. However, reaching the quality standards defined by the
accrediting bodies represents a challenge that requires important institutional
efforts.
This study focuses on improving institutional research, specifically through
policy management. Our main objective is to identify the factors that, from the
perspective of researchers, should be considered in the design of a research
policy in private universities in Mexico. This is a frequently overlooked topic in
research policy design, but highly relevant for decision-makers that want to
reach institutional research goals while keeping researchers motivated.
We designed a cross-sectional survey to identify the incentive preferences of
researchers. We integrated a sample of 86 researchers of business and
engineering areas of 10 private universities in Mexico. We analyzed the
results of this survey through statistical methods, such as z-tests for
differences in proportions and correlations tests, as well as Analytic Hierarchy
Process (AHP) and System Dynamics (SD) methodological frameworks.
Findings suggest that the institutional research strategy should be aligned to
the mission and vision of the university. From the survey, we identified that
age, rather than salary range and years of experience, influence researchers’
preferences of financial incentives over non-financial incentives, and that
delay in receiving an incentive plays a relevant role in their preferences and
decision-making process. We found that work-life balance, research funding,
and institutional support, are the most valued factors in the design of an
effective research policy from the perspective of researchers. Finally, based
on the prioritization results, it is concluded that balanced strategies are
relevant to improve the performance and well-being of researchers, to ensure
the competitiveness of universities and increase their leadership. Simulation
scenarios demonstrate how changes in key leadership variables may affect
the research capacity. These findings can help to develop more effective
policies that consider academic staff, promoting the sustainability of research
as one of the pillars of academic excellence.
institutions to stand out for their quality. Pursuing national and international
accreditations is a strategy frequently used by deans to position their
institutions globally. However, reaching the quality standards defined by the
accrediting bodies represents a challenge that requires important institutional
efforts.
This study focuses on improving institutional research, specifically through
policy management. Our main objective is to identify the factors that, from the
perspective of researchers, should be considered in the design of a research
policy in private universities in Mexico. This is a frequently overlooked topic in
research policy design, but highly relevant for decision-makers that want to
reach institutional research goals while keeping researchers motivated.
We designed a cross-sectional survey to identify the incentive preferences of
researchers. We integrated a sample of 86 researchers of business and
engineering areas of 10 private universities in Mexico. We analyzed the
results of this survey through statistical methods, such as z-tests for
differences in proportions and correlations tests, as well as Analytic Hierarchy
Process (AHP) and System Dynamics (SD) methodological frameworks.
Findings suggest that the institutional research strategy should be aligned to
the mission and vision of the university. From the survey, we identified that
age, rather than salary range and years of experience, influence researchers’
preferences of financial incentives over non-financial incentives, and that
delay in receiving an incentive plays a relevant role in their preferences and
decision-making process. We found that work-life balance, research funding,
and institutional support, are the most valued factors in the design of an
effective research policy from the perspective of researchers. Finally, based
on the prioritization results, it is concluded that balanced strategies are
relevant to improve the performance and well-being of researchers, to ensure
the competitiveness of universities and increase their leadership. Simulation
scenarios demonstrate how changes in key leadership variables may affect
the research capacity. These findings can help to develop more effective
policies that consider academic staff, promoting the sustainability of research
as one of the pillars of academic excellence.
Subjects
License
Acceso Abierto
URL License
How to cite
Núñez Acosta, A. (2024). Study of Factors that Affect the Performance of Researchers in Mexican Private Universities (Tesis de Doctorado). Universidad Panamericana
Table of contents
Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Relationship between research environment in Mexican business schools and the research standards established by CACECA and EFMD -- Chapter 3. Factors affecting researchers’ incentive preferences: A cross
sectional study of private universities in Mexico -- Chapter 4. Evaluating factors and sub-factors for research policy design: The case of private universities in Mexico -- Chapter 5. Leadership in private universities for the sustainable performance of research: A system dynamics approach
sectional study of private universities in Mexico -- Chapter 4. Evaluating factors and sub-factors for research policy design: The case of private universities in Mexico -- Chapter 5. Leadership in private universities for the sustainable performance of research: A system dynamics approach