Chinese Research Universities Research Articles

Modeling the mediating roles of self-directed learning and knowledge management processes between emotional intelligence and learning outcomes in higher education.

Objective: Drawing on the knowledge-based view and ability-based theories of emotional intelligence (EI), in this study, we investigate the effects of EI on learning outcomes related to academics and administrators in Chinese research universities and we also test the direct association between learning outcomes and creative performance. In addition, we examine the mediating role of self-directed learning (SDL) and knowledge management processes (KMPs) on the relationship between EI and learning outcomes. Methods: The sample, for this study, consisted of 547 academic and administrative personnel at Chinese higher educational institutions (HEIs), and the hypothesized associations were examined through partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results: Our results indicated that EI has no significant influence on learning outcomes. However, an indirect relationship between EI and learning outcomes is established through SDL and KMPs. Conclusions: This study strengthens the professional understanding of EI and supports that the personnel at HEIs should value SDL and KMPs, which in turn enhances their learning outcomes. Although EI has received increased importance in higher education institutions, there are few studies that have investigated the relationship of EI, SDL, KMP, and learning outcomes. This is one of the initial studies that has empirically examined the interface of EI and learning outcomes in HEIs and also provides timely insights into the understanding of the mediating role of SDL and KMP.

Which Type of Interpersonal Interaction Better Facilitates College Student Learning and Development in China: Face-to-Face or Online?

Purpose: This study attempts to explore how Chinese college students engage in face-to-face synchronous and online asynchronous interactions and examine how the two different interaction types are associated with their academic learning (learning achievement and the development of research skills), satisfaction, and their perceptions of learning environments. Design/Approach/Methods: A sample of 3,999 undergraduate students from a research university in Northern China participated in the survey. A series of cluster analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and hierarchical multiple regression were conducted. Findings: The cluster analysis results revealed that there were four types of learners among these students and that a large percentage of Chinese undergraduates were classified into either digital communicators (36.16%) or passive interactors (32.71%). In general, the face-to-face synchronous interaction generated more desirable academic learning, perceptions of the learning environment, and higher satisfaction than the online asynchronous interaction in most aspects. However, the asynchronous online interaction fostered student autonomy and contributed to students’ completion of an in-depth thesis. Originality/Value: By distinguishing face-to-face synchronous versus online asynchronous interactions, this study led to an enhanced knowledge of the interactive patterns of Chinese college students and uncovered the specific effects of the two types of interpersonal interactions in Chinese research universities.

Are University Rankings Statistically Significant? A Comparison among Chinese Universities and with the USA

Abstract Purpose Building on Leydesdorff, Bornmann, and Mingers (2019), we elaborate the differences between Tsinghua and Zhejiang University as an empirical example. We address the question of whether differences are statistically significant in the rankings of Chinese universities. We propose methods for measuring statistical significance among different universities within or among countries. Design/methodology/approach Based on z-testing and overlapping confidence intervals, and using data about 205 Chinese universities included in the Leiden Rankings 2020, we argue that three main groups of Chinese research universities can be distinguished (low, middle, and high). Findings When the sample of 205 Chinese universities is merged with the 197 US universities included in Leiden Rankings 2020, the results similarly indicate three main groups: low, middle, and high. Using this data (Leiden Rankings and Web of Science), the z-scores of the Chinese universities are significantly below those of the US universities albeit with some overlap. Research limitations We show empirically that differences in ranking may be due to changes in the data, the models, or the modeling effects on the data. The scientometric groupings are not always stable when we use different methods. Practical implications Differences among universities can be tested for their statistical significance. The statistics relativize the values of decimals in the rankings. One can operate with a scheme of low/middle/high in policy debates and leave the more fine-grained rankings of individual universities to operational management and local settings. Originality/value In the discussion about the rankings of universities, the question of whether differences are statistically significant, has, in our opinion, insufficiently been addressed in research evaluations.

Morality and ability: institutional leaders’ perceptions of ideal leadership in Chinese research universities

ABSTRACT University leadership is considered as a key factor in university development. In a competitive environment, the role of university leadership has become increasingly important. At present, China is committed to building world-class universities, and university leadership is one of the key factors. Thus, what is the ideal university leadership in China’s institutional environment? What professional qualities should university leaders have? This study investigates this issue with in-depth interviews of 14 ‘985 Project’ university leaders. Finding shows that the definition of leadership by Chinese university leaders reflects a relatively strong moralistic orientation, where morality and ability are considered important. Furthermore, morality is often supposed to be more important than ability. In terms of competence, the definitions of leadership by Chinese university leaders and the literature on Western university leadership have some similarities and differences. Chinese universities are managed by the two systems of the party committee and the administration. The division of labour between the two systems is unclear and prone to conflicts. Therefore, the attitude and ability to cooperate has become an important attribute among university leaders.

Tournament in academia: a comparative analysis of faculty evaluation systems in research universities in China and the USA

Based on content analysis of faculty evaluation policies, this article addresses faculty evaluation policies and notes the links between the ideology of neoliberalism and a tournament system of faculty evaluation in research-intensive universities in China and the USA. The focus is upon the similarities and differences of faculty evaluation systems in China and the USA. Faculty evaluation reflects neoliberal values and the logic of the market, with corresponding diminution of academic logic and the traditional values of the academy, particularly academic quality, through market-oriented competition. Both systems are tournament-like systems that emphasize the management of performance and operations of competitive mechanisms, with the goals of efficiency and effectiveness. Three main differences between the faculty evaluation systems in US research universities and Chinese research universities are evident: a traditional concept of collegiality in the US university but not in China; in the USA, criteria for and procedures of faculty promotion evaluation indicate reasonable flexibility while the faculty evaluation system in Chinese research university lacks flexibility; and, service requirements for faculty promotion evaluation in Chinese research universities are not as stringent as in the USA. Two institutional logics operate in the promotion evaluation process of research university faculty—academic and market, or neoliberal—and further research is needed to determine the effects of these two logics.

Competing institutional logics of academic personnel system reforms in leading Chinese Universities

ABSTRACT This study utilises an institutional logic perspective to explore the dynamics and complexity of academic personnel system reforms at leading Chinese universities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 participants from 10 highly ranked universities; these interviews obtained the views of key observers on four main reform initiatives: global recruitment, the adoption of a tenure-track system and improvements to performance criteria and review procedures. Findings reveal that the fundamental goal of academic personnel system reforms for leading Chinese research universities was to address increasing global competition and stimulate research outputs within a new managerial context. A unique ‘two-tier’ career system is emerging influenced by the interweaving of competing logics and complicated interactions between external influences and Chinese traditions, in which the traditional permanent employment system operates simultaneously with the newly introduced tenure-track system, and ‘up-or-out’ has transformed into ‘up-or-transfer’ due to the legacies of the danwei system.

Compliment Response in Teacher-Student Interaction: Examples from ICT Platforms

The recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) allows online platforms including Moodle to be applied in education. This paper, having looking through research on compliment responses from different perspectives, intends to conduct an empirical research to explore patterns and functions of teacher-student compliment response in ICT platforms of an English course in a Chinese Research University. The findings of this study suggest that in ICT platform setting, Chinese EFL students tend to choose agreement strategy when responding to teachers’ compliments, and that teachers tend to use compliments as approval of students’ work. The research also indicates that ICT platforms might help facilitate meaningful teacher-student interaction after class, thus making language education more motivating and engaging.

Are University Rankings Statistically Significant? A Comparison among Chinese Universities and with the USA

Purpose: We address the question of whether differences are statistically significant in the rankings of universities. We propose methods measuring the statistical significance among different universities and illustrate the results by empirical data. Design/methodology/approach: Based on z-testing and overlapping confidence intervals, and using data about 205 Chinese universities included in the Leiden Rankings 2020, we argue that three main groups of Chinese research universities can be distinguished. Findings: When the sample of 205 Chinese universities is merged with the 197 US universities included in Leiden Rankings 2020, the results similarly indicate three main groups: high, middle, low. Using this data (Leiden Rankings and Web-of-Science), the z-scores of the Chinese universities are significantly below those of the US universities albeit with some overlap. Research limitations: We show empirically that differences in ranking may be due to changes in the data, the models, or the modeling effects on the data. The scientometric groupings are not always stable when we use different methods. R&D policy implications: Differences among universities can be tested for their statistical significance. The statistics relativize the values of decimals in the rankings. One can operate with a scheme of low/middle/high in policy debates and leave the more fine-grained rankings of individual universities to operational management and local settings. Originality/value: In the discussion about the rankings of universities, the question of whether differences are statistically significant, is, in our opinion, insufficiently addressed.

Are University Rankings Statistically Significant? A Comparison among Chinese Universities and with the USA

Purpose: We address the question of whether differences are statistically significant in the rankings of universities. We propose methods measuring the statistical significance among different universities and illustrate the results by empirical data. Design/methodology/approach: Based on z-testing and overlapping confidence intervals, and using data about 205 Chinese universities included in the Leiden Rankings 2020, we argue that three main groups of Chinese research universities can be distinguished. Findings: When the sample of 205 Chinese universities is merged with the 197 US universities included in Leiden Rankings 2020, the results similarly indicate three main groups: high, middle, low. Using this data (Leiden Rankings and Web-of-Science), the z-scores of the Chinese universities are significantly below those of the US universities albeit with some overlap. Research limitations: We show empirically that differences in ranking may be due to changes in the data, the models, or the modeling effects on the data. The scientometric groupings are not always stable when we use different methods. R&D policy implications: Differences among universities can be tested for their statistical significance. The statistics relativize the values of decimals in the rankings. One can operate with a scheme of low/middle/high in policy debates and leave the more fine-grained rankings of individual universities to operational management and local settings. Originality/value: In the discussion about the rankings of universities, the question of whether differences are statistically significant, is, in our opinion, insufficiently addressed.

What hindered the implementation of university internationalisation plan? case study of a top research university in China

ABSTRACTMany Studies have been conducted on the internationalisation of higher education. Yet little is known about institutional plans for internationalisation on an operational level. This paper was written to provide some insight into the current barriers to the implementation of internationalisation plans. The authors present a case study of internationalisation plan underway in a Chinese top research university. An in-depth critical analysis of the case leads to the conclusion that the diversified understanding of the goals, meaning, strategies of internationalisation among different participants within the university, especially between faculty and administrative staffs involved in the initiation of the plan, caused deviation from their international practice and further hindered the implementation of the plan.

An investigation of the influence of intrinsic motivation on students’ intention to use mobile devices in language learning

This study examines the relationships among intrinsic motivation, critical variables related to technology adoption, and students’ behavioral intention in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). To test the hypothesized model through a path analysis, 169 survey responses were collected from undergraduate students who were foreign language learners of English in a Chinese research university. The results indicated that although intrinsic motivation did not have a direct influence on students’ behavioral intention in MALL, it had a positive influence on students’ behavioral intention through the two intervening variables, perceived usefulness and task technology fit. Perceived ease of use, however, was not associated with students’ behavioral intention directly, nor was it predicted by intrinsic motivation. The findings suggested proper instructional design that is aligned with and supports the language learning task was important to increase students’ behavioral intention to adopt mobile devices for language learning.

Developing Joint R&D Institutes between Chinese Universities and International Enterprises in China’s Innovation System: A Case at Tsinghua University

This paper examines the role of joint R&D institutes co-established by Chinese research universities and international enterprises. Guided by an analytical framework of institutional logics in the evolution of the Triple Helix model, this study aims to explore the institutionalization process of a joint R&D institute in the contexts of global and Chinese innovation systems; further, it analyzes which mingling institutional logics, respectively carried by a Chinese research university and an international enterprise, affect the collaboration between both parties moving from informal R&D collaboration toward an institutionalized organization. The case study method enabled the author to understand the complexity of the interlacing of international and national actors with regards to the joint R&D institutes. The contribution of the study to the existing literature is two-fold: on the conceptual front, it advances theoretical understandings of the interactions of institutional logics which result in varied patterns of joint R&D institute in a national context with transnational factors; on the empirical front, it examines the evolutionary path of a joint R&D institute established by a Chinese research university and an international enterprise.

Does Money Accelerate Faculty Mobility? Survey Findings from 11 Research Universities in China

In the context of global innovation systems, it has become a universal law that the resource elements of scientific and technological innovation, such as talents, flow along the track of high efficiency to the regions that can produce high benefits. As faculty in research universities are important resources of scientific and technological innovation, developing countries such as China have sought to accelerate the transnational mobility of faculty by leveraging income. This study endeavors to gain a better understanding of the motivations for and the outcomes of faculty mobility at Chinese research universities and to determine whether attaining higher income levels through academic mobility can be considered a lever for facilitating change and improving the status of the academic profession in China. Using survey data from 445 faculty members at 11 major research universities in China, this study found a significant relationship between mobility frequency and indirect income. The findings also revealed, however that employees’ different attitudes toward income during the process of mobility are a key variable in confirming academic professional boundaries. The findings suggest that more successful mechanisms to attract or retain talented scholars should be developed and that these mechanisms should not focus exclusively on income.

Surviving the performance management of academic work: evidence from young Chinese academics

ABSTRACTDespite predominant macro-level changes of performance management at Chinese universities, little attention has been paid to how the disciplinary technologies have been interpreted and enacted at the level of individual academics. Using qualitative data with 26 participants at a Chinese research university, this study provides evidence of collective compliance with the performative imperatives. The study indicates that tacit compliance has been reinforced through the coercive powers of reward, punishment, and bureaucratization and consolidated through the normative influences of the Chinese Confucian culture and subjectification via creating new notions of ‘academic success’. Moreover, the process of perverse learning, during which opportunistic behaviors are taken to ‘play the game’, has contributed to the emergence of performance paradox. In addition, the findings do not indicate any vocal resistance in public but conscientious efforts have been taken in private by some of the participants to navigating through the performance paradox in order to alleviate the dysfunctional consequences caused by the perverse learning.

Kansas chemist indicted on fraud charges

University of Kansas chemist Feng “Franklin” Tao was indicted on Aug. 21 on US federal charges alleging he concealed working for a Chinese university since May 2018. “Tao is alleged to have defrauded the U.S. government by unlawfully receiving federal grant money at the same time that he was employed and paid by a Chinese research university—a fact that he hid from his university and federal agencies,” says John C. Demers, US assistant attorney general for national security, in a Department of Justice statement. Tao is charged with one count of wire fraud and three counts of program fraud, according to the indictment. For the program fraud, the indictment cites $37,566 in salary that Tao received through grant funding from the US National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy for research on heterogeneous catalysis. Tao pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing on Aug. 23. He has

Des centres pour le développement de l’enseignement et de l’apprentissage dans les universités chinoises de recherche

La mise en place de centres pour le développement pédagogique ayant pour but de promouvoir l’excellence des professeurs en matière d’enseignement dans les universités de recherche est considérée comme étant l’une des approches les plus importantes de la construction de l’identité de l’enseignement supérieur en Chine. L’étude du cas du Centre pour le développement de l’enseignement et de l’apprentissage (Center for Teaching and Learning Development : CTLD) au sein de l’Université de Xiamen permet d’illustrer les problèmes à résoudre et les défis à relever, les programmes et les services efficaces ainsi que les principes et les pratiques pertinents que l’on peut retirer de l’expérience du CTLD. Cette étude de cas montre également comment, lorsque la mission, la gestion et la programmation de ces centres sont bien adaptées aux différentes facettes d’une université de recherche, un tel centre pour le développement pédagogique est au service de la création d’une culture de l’excellence en matière d’enseignement.

Towards a typology of university technology transfer organizations in China: evidences from Tsinghua University

This paper argues that failure to deeply understand various existing organizations of university-industry technology transfer in China impedes the progress of both practice and research on technology transfer between university and industry in that country. In response, it attempts to categorize different types of university technology transfer organizations in China in over a 30-year time span and analyze the relations between these organizations. In so doing, Tsinghua University is taken as an example for analysis, because technology transfer at Tsinghua University can be seen as a microcosm of university-industry technology transfer in China with pioneer practices and successful experience to be followed by other universities in China. The analysis is guided by an analytical framework, constructed by integrating the insights from relevant literature. The framework distinguishes between different forms of university technology transfer organizations by focusing on six dimensions of the organizational characteristics. After identifying eight types of university technology transfer organizations in Tsinghua University with detailed descriptions of their respective organizational characteristics, the paper further groups them into a four-category typology. Besides its contribution in constructing a framework to understand university technology transfer organizations in the Chinese context, the paper also solicits suggestions for Chinese and international stakeholders who may potentially cooperate with Chinese research universities in research, development, and innovation.

Revisiting the research–teaching nexus in a managerial context: exploring the complexity of multi-layered factors

ABSTRACTDrawing on in-depth interviews and classroom observations with 14 academics from the field of applied sciences, this case study provides empirical evidences on the research–teaching nexus in the context of Chinese research universities by examining the multi-layered factors at the individual, institutional and organisational levels. The study sketches out several substantive social structures, including performative incentives, research culture and institutional emphases, that have significantly shaped the research–teaching nexus in a managerial context. Teaching beliefs that are rooted in traditional Chinese culture, however, have been identified as an essential factor to strengthen the research–teaching nexus. This study concludes that a more supportive environment based on the cultural beliefs of teaching can be created to alleviate the growing tensions between research and teaching.

Investment with Intangible Assets of Chinese Research Institutions

Chinese research institutions and universities used to have to face many problems when they invested with their intangible technical assets, such as complicated examination and approval procedures for the disposal of scientific and technological achievements, unreasonable design of income tax system for technology investment, the difficulty in executing equity incentives, and the lack of motivation to researchers. The newly revised Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in 2015, and the supporting policies and measures subsequently introduced improved the systems regarding the management of scientific and technological achievements and technology investment. However, after a large number of interviews and literature research, the authors find that now there are still some obstacles for value-based investment, such as the mandatory technology investment evaluation does not conform to the law of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, corporate capital increase and exit mechanism are not smooth after technology investment, ownership of state-owned influence the enthusiasm of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. At the same time, get the conclusion that duties, obligations, and interests of researchers, technology transfer personnel and institutions, legal entities, and government departments are important factors that influence the transfer of technology conducted by research institutions and universities; As a special commodity, scientific and technological achievement can realize their real value only after it enters the market. Its industrialization process may be successful or failed, as there are lots of uncertainties and risks; Existing state-owned asset management policy equates technical intangible assets with tangible assets management, and stipulates that public research institutions and universities must evaluate the value of scientific and technological achievements they possess or enterprises invested when investing with technology, increasing capital or withdrawing shares, to fulfill the obligation to maintain and increase the value of state-owned assets of scientific and technological achievements. Formalistic assessment, long review cycle and the lack of evaluation standards are obstacles for investment with technical intangible assets by research institutions. For this, the author suggests exploring the mixed ownership for scientific and technological achievements, establishing special intangible assets evaluation criteria based on The General Rules for Science and Technology Research Projects Evaluation , and a system combining mandatory assessment evaluation and selective evaluation.

Measuring the inefficiency of Chinese research universities based on a two-stage network DEA model

Abstract This paper investigates the inefficiency and productivity of 64 Chinese research universities and their evolution over the recent period of 2010–2013, where the production process of each research university is described as a general two-stage network process. We first develop a general two-stage network directional distance framework with carryover variables to gauge the universities’ inefficiencies. Second, to study the evolution of the universities, we develop a Luenberger productivity indicator to measure the productivity changes over time, as well as decompositions. The empirical results show that the Luenberger productivity indicator increased significantly over the examined period. The productivity gains were primarily driven by improvements in efficiency. In other words, the efficiency increased on average over the period of 2010–2013. However, technical changes for many universities were below zero, which led to technology deterioration on average. Finally, based on the estimates, we propose several policy suggestions for improving efficiency and productivity.