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Faculty Research Productivity in Saudi Arabian Public Universities Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2015 Faculty Research Productivity in Saudi Arabian Public Universities: A Human Capital Investment Perspective Abad Alzuman Virginia Commonwealth University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Education Policy Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, and the Science and Technology Policy Commons © The Author Downloaded from http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/4020 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ©Abad Alzuman 2015 All Rights Reserved Faculty Research Productivity in Saudi Arabian Public Universities: A Human Capital Investment Perspective A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. by Abad Alzuman Bachelor of Education, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, 1999 Masters of Health Administration: King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, 2003 Director: Richard Huff, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Director of Graduate Studies L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia November, 2015 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost, I thank Allah for granting me the strength, knowledge, and determination to accomplish this work. My appreciation goes to my parents: my father, Nsser Alzuman, and my mother, Monirah Alzuman, for their incredible efforts, prayers, and persistent support during the years of my studies in the United States. I would like to express, with sincere gratitude, my appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Richard Huff, for his support, kindness, and mentorship. Throughout the years of my PhD studies, he provided me with scholarly counsel and motivated me to be the best I can be. Also, I would like to extend my great gratitude to Dr. Farah Graham for her unlimited support and encouragement during my studies. The long hours she spent advising and assisting me while conducting this research contributed to my professional and academic growth through her support and friendship. Without the great efforts of Dr. Huff and Dr. Graham, this study would not have been accomplished. A special appreciation is dedicated to my late advisor, Dr. William C. Bosher, who is greatly missed, and whose support and encouragement had guided me when I started this research. He will always be remembered. I would also like to thank the members of my dissertation committee, Dr. Magill and Dr. Stutts, for generously giving their time and expertise to better my work. Many thanks go to the faculty members, staff, and colleagues at L. Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, who collectively made my Phd journey a memorable experience. iii My greatest gratitude goes to my husband, Adel Aldawood, for his support and understanding. Without his support, I would not have been able to complete my studies. My love and thanks go to my children- Saad, Lama, and Noura, for sharing me this journey with patience and joy. I would also like to thank my beloved brothers and sister for their continuous support and encouragement all along. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ ix ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ x I. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ..............................................................................................................4 Research Questions ................................................................................................................4 Objectives of the Study ..........................................................................................................5 Policy Implication ..................................................................................................................5 Limitations .............................................................................................................................6 Definitions..............................................................................................................................6 II. HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA .................................................................8 Saudi Higher Education System ............................................................................................8 Faculty Members in Saudi Universities .................................................................................9 Academic Research in Saudi Arabia ................................................................................... 10 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 14 III. LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 16 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 16 Investment in Human Capital ............................................................................................. 17 Defining and Measuring Research Productivity ................................................................. 21 Investment in Human Capital: Research-Promoting Practices ........................................... 23 Supportive Collegial Environment and Research Climate .......................................... 25 Research Support Services .......................................................................................... 31 Collaboration Programs ............................................................................................... 33 Conference Attendance ............................................................................................... 34 Teaching and Administrative Workload ..................................................................... 35 Personal Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 36 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 43 v IV. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ........................................................ 44 Research Design.................................................................................................................. 44 Sampling and Sample Size.................................................................................................. 44 Survey Instrument ............................................................................................................... 46 Content Validity .................................................................................................................. 47 Data Collection Procedures ................................................................................................. 47 Variables in the Study ......................................................................................................... 48 Dependent Variable ..................................................................................................... 48 Independent Variables ................................................................................................. 50 Conceptual Framework for the Study ................................................................................. 56 Statistical Analysis .............................................................................................................. 58 V. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA ............................................ 60 Descriptive Statistics ........................................................................................................... 60 Analysis of Means............................................................................................................... 65 Research Productivity by Gender ................................................................................ 66 Research Differences by Age ...................................................................................... 68 Research Productivity by Marital Status ..................................................................... 69 Research Differences by Academic Rank ................................................................... 70 Research Differences by Citizenship (Tenure Status) ................................................. 76 Research Differences by Origin of PhD Degree .......................................................... 79 Regression Modeling and Results ....................................................................................... 83 The Multiple Regression Models ................................................................................
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