Academic research collaborations in Kenya: structure, processes and information technologies

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of the organisation and conduct of academic research collaborations in Kenya and the factors shaping them. This contributes to an understanding of the status and processes involved in collaborative research, and how this is affected by the associated research environments, important in informing best practice in improving and promoting collaborative research. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become indispensable tools for supporting collaborative work. This thesis also discusses the role ICTs are playing in collaboration processes, and the factors contributing to their adoption and use within the studied community. Factors and variables identified as affecting the processes of collaborative research from a range of models, theories and frameworks in past studies were analysed for their effects within the Kenyan context. A mixed methods research design was adopted. Data collection involved a quantitative survey involving 248 academic members of staff in four disciplines across four major Kenyan universities. This was supplemented by semi-structured in-depth interviews with selected individuals within the studied population. In addition, this was complemented by an extensive document review that targeted university websites, repositories and policy documents.

Date of Award	Sept 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton