Role of ICT facilitation in mobilizing the performance of business research process in North India

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study undertaken to understand Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilitation and performance of business research process in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The study has investigated the influence of ICT-aided infrastructure facilitation on the effectiveness of business research in HEIs. Scale development for the various dimensions of ICT facilitation and business research process performance has also been established.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling has been used for data analysis across a sample of 164 respondents, which have been randomly selected from the population of business researchers pursuing their research in the HEIs in northern India. Questionnaire has been used for survey and data collection.FindingsThe findings of the study reveal that implementation of ICT initiatives have significantly enhanced the efficiency and quality of business research in higher education. Further, the study has found that ICT facilitation is multidimensional, consisting of three sub-constructs (infrastructure availability, human resource capacity and e-resource financing) and business research process performance consisting of four sub-constructs (facilitator, accessibility, ethical dimensions and data processes). It has been found that all the sub-constructs are related to their respective constructs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses a small sample as the number of business researchers was less in the northern region of India. For more generalization and authentication, larger sample size should be used. Further, the study developed a scale and tested it in the northern region of India. Therefore, it becomes important to examine whether the same scale can be applied to other sector/regions and countries.Originality/valueThe study has added to the understanding of the relationship between variables, namely, ICT facilitation and business research process performance. It also identifies the ICT factors and business research performance factors, and empirically tests their dimensionality. The study emphasizes that higher learning institutes should be more knowledge and result-driven with immediate practical implications for business development and revenue generation.