Leadership and Policy Role on Grants Accessing for Publication at Haramaya University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine Leadership and Policy Role on Academia Grants Accessing for Research Publication at Haramaya University.  To achieve this objective, an explanatory sequential mixed research design was employed. The sample consisted of 290 academic staff selected by multistage sampling and 12 academic leaders selected by purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed by linear regression and thematic analysis. The R2 value of 40.8 discovered that the role of leadership explained 40.8% variance in the accessing research grant with F (1,270)=187.958, P<.001. The Result indicated that leadership positively predicted accessing research grants (B=13.710, P<.001). The R2 value of 13.9 discovered the policy role predicting 13.9% variance in the accessing research grant with F (1,270)=44.887, P<.001. The Result indicated that policy role positively predicted accessing research grants (B=6.700, P<.001). The study also revealed that the major challenges were a shortage of funds, a lack of technical skills, a few thematic areas preferred by staff, and a limited amount of grants allocated for research and publications. The study, furthermore, identified from document analysis College agriculture has had the most access to 457 Haramaya university grants over the past six years, and college of law  has received only one grant in the six-year period. It is recommended for Haramaya University to assess the reasons behind these variations and identify strategies to provide consistent support to all types of grants and thematic areas to ensure equitable access to grants for improving academic staff's research publications.