Enablers, challenges and relationships between research impact and theory generation

Holt, Gary D., Goulding, Jack and Akintoye, Akintola (2016) Enablers, challenges and relationships between research impact and theory generation. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23 (1). pp. 20-39. ISSN 0969-9988

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Abstract

Purpose:
Perceptions drawn from the construction management research (CMR) community regarding research impact (RI) and its relationship to theory generation (TG) are examined. Investigative emphasis is on RI and TG enablers and challenges (within an academic context). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach:
Qualitative narrative data accrued from open-ended questions within a structured questionnaire survey are analysed using frequency, quantitative content analysis, and graphical methods. A model of the RI/TG interface is presented and discussed.

Findings:
Principal RI enablers are “facilitation” (industry engagement, time); while principal constraints include “internal factors” (the academic, the university) and “external factors” (collaboration, funding). Respective TG enablers are “resources” (competence, time, funding) and corresponding challenges include “external factors” (market forces, compliance). RI is considered a minor challenge to TG.

Research limitations/implications:
The study adds empirical evidence to the ongoing RI debate within the UK generally and with regard to the CMR discipline more specifically.

Originality/value:
RI research is relatively sparse, while the findings in regard to CMR are entirely novel.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Research, Theory, Impact, Construction management, REF, Research evaluation
Subjects:	K900 Others in Architecture, Building and Planning X300 Academic studies in Education
Department:	Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Architecture and Built Environment
Depositing User:	Paul Burns
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2017 13:12
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 19:00
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/32481

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