Academic Managers' Perspective on Research Management in Higher Education Institutions across Romania

This paper seeks to bring into discussion the main traits and their effects on the research management process within Romanian universities from the managers' perspective. Fourteen academic managers took part in a semi-structured in-depth interview aimed at presenting and analysing the research management process in higher education institutions. The focus was on academic managers' perspective regarding the current university model, the research culture within universities and the internal strategies used to promote and stimulate research production. Results show the university should be considered an important pillar for economic growth and thus, it must invest in developing more research activities of higher quality, helping to transform knowledge into a profitable investment. Therefore, the university needs to support the development of internal strategies that will help researchers work individually or in teams in order to implement research projects, ensuring that potential inaccuracies, such as lack of institutional support or bureaucracy, are reduced.