FOSTERING A SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH CULTURE AT UNIVERSITIES

As the pillars of knowledge, universities are required to pursue and expand our understanding of phenomena. This implies that universities should apart from teaching and community involvement be actively engaged in research-related activities. It often happens that factors such as a heavy teaching load and a lack of focus affects the amount of time spend on research-related activities. It is therefore necessary that research should be a purpose-driven process that should be considered at both strategic and departmental level. By using organisational culture literature, specific the three-level typology of Schein (1992), this article aims to identify values that should be incorporated into the culture of both faculties and the wider university to aid the development of a research culture. Values are tangible and are therefore a measurable part of organisational culture. If the proposed values are incorporated a sustained research culture could be created.