Fostering viability and sustainability of small and medium enterprises: Determining the true beneficiaries of university research output

Gwendoline Vusumuzi Nani

doi:10.4102/ac.v18i1.531

Abstract

Orientation: The focus of this study was dissemination of university research output to small and medium enterprises.Research purpose: This study sought to determine the true beneficiaries of research output.Motivation of the study: Situations occur where research was conducted, but the purported beneficiaries did not receive feedback.Research design, approach and method: A case survey approach involving 80 lecturers from the Faculty of Commerce of one public university in Zimbabwe was utilised. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to elicit responses from academic researchers. Analysis of quantitative data was done through frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations and Pearson chi-square tests. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.Main findings: The findings revealed that only 36.92% had conducted studies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while the remaining 63.08% had conducted other studies not related to SMEs. Out of the 36.92% of the respondents who had conducted studies on SMEs, 41.67% had not disseminated their results to the targeted beneficiaries. The study concluded that dissemination of research output for practical use seemed not to be a priority for some academic researchers. Non-distribution of results by academics indicated underlying challenges.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommended that researchers should be reminded of the importance of conveying their findings for practical use and responsible authorities should encourage the dissemination of research output through the provision of incentives and support systems.Contribution/value-add: The study identified a dearth of research on who benefits if research studies are conducted on SMEs but the results are not disseminated to them and thus attempted to address this gap.

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundGlobally, universities have been regarded as institutions that create knowledge through research activities (Brennan, King & Lebeau 2004:7; Mutwiri 2014:1) and they serve as conduits for the transfer, adaptation and dissemination of generated knowledge (Kavulya 2004:3)
Such an institution is bound to have more research work that can address the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on the assumption that the younger the more creative and innovative
The number of young lecturers could suggest potential for more research, the few PhD holders in this university could imply lack of high-impact research work based on the perceptions that the more senior the lecturers are, the more experience they have in research

Summary

Introduction

Universities have been regarded as institutions that create knowledge through research activities (Brennan, King & Lebeau 2004:7; Mutwiri 2014:1) and they serve as conduits for the transfer, adaptation and dissemination of generated knowledge (Kavulya 2004:3). McGrath (2016:3) regards sharing of research output as a crucial part of making sure your work has an impact outside your organisation. Research work is valuable and can transform practice and lives only when the findings are shared with people who can use them to change policy and practice. Turale (2011:2) further contends that it is unethical to conduct research studies but fail to appropriately disseminate findings Research work is valuable and can transform practice and lives only when the findings are shared with people who can use them to change policy and practice. Merriam and Tisdell (2016:290) concur that without the important step of reporting and disseminating results, the research process would be incomplete. Turale (2011:2) further contends that it is unethical to conduct research studies but fail to appropriately disseminate findings

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion