Role of Dynamic Capabilities on the Relationship of Social Capital and Research Productivity of Academic Staff in Kenyan Universities

Abstract

The quality and quantity of research publications by academic staff play a major role in determining the performance of universities. In addition, research output is expected to provide solutions to challenges facing the society at large. Moreover, research productivity is a key measure of achievement as well as a key instrument in improving the quality of teaching and knowledge creation. This implies that a key priority for the academic staff in Kenyan universities is how to increase their research productivity. However, research productivity of academic staff in Kenyan universities is characterised by limited publications. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of dynamic capabilities on the relationship of social capital and research productivity of academic staff in Kenyan universities. This study adopted a correlational research design and sampled 392 academic staff members. Both regression and bootstrap analyses were used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that, social capital has a significant influence on research productivity of academic staff in Kenyan universities; however, the influence is not direct, but is partially mediated by dynamic capabilities. The study concluded that while social capital is a key knowledge-based resource necessary for improving research productivity, dynamic capabilities are also needed to deploy and reconfigure these resources. The study findings enlighten the academic staff on the importance of investing seriously in both social capital and dynamic capabilities to improve their research productivity. Additionally, the study outcomes inform the university management on significant antecedents of research productivity of academic staff.