Designing an analytical framework for measuring knowledge mobilization effectiveness in higher education institutions in the Philippines

Abstract

The study aimed to design an analytical framework for measuring knowledge mobilization in higher education institutions in the Philippines. The exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used to collect and analyze qualitative data to develop a quantitative study. For qualitative data, a mini knowledge audit was employed to develop open-ended questions. This instrument was given to 14 respondents who were either research directors or project research leaders of the selected seven (7) higher education institutions via online in observance of the health and safety protocols due to the corona virus pandemic. A content analysis of the qualitative data gathered guided the researcher in designing the draft of the conceptual model. From this model, the researcher constructed internal and external survey questionnaires which were distributed to the internal and external stakeholders of the same seven (7) HEIs composed of another group of researchers by seniority levels. The quantitative data gathered was treated using multiple regression analysis to observe the direct relationships between the variables. The results of multiple regression analysis were used in designing the initial analytical framework for measuring the knowledge mobilization in higher education institutions. The interviews revealed that HEIs had undertaken projects and activities that fall under the specific knowledge domain mandated by the law that created them that are mostly under science and technology, specifically on the national harmonized agenda of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), industrial technology, sustainability of technologies such as food technology but also includes education in general, teacher education and teacher technical education and skills development (TESD) in particular; and professional, business and entrepreneurial technology. Also, HEIs used different strategies to measure the effectiveness of the mobilization of their research results such as commercialization of the value of technology transfer or knowledge transfer, collaboration with industry, private organizations, local government units, and/or communities, impact on policy and decision making, public engagement and extension services, and social and economic impact of the research. The results of the survey questionnaires showed that External Knowledge mobilization (EKMb) was largely influenced by the dissemination of research outputs (DRO) and external services (ES) while Dissemination of Research Outputs (DRO), Monitoring and Evaluation of Research Outputs (MERO), Utilization of Research Outputs (URO), and Research Integrity (RI) were significant variables in Internal Knowledge mobilization. Implementing an analytical framework for assessing the effectiveness of knowledge mobilization in Higher Education Institutions could be easily applied as most guidelines were already in place based on the interviews conducted. Further, stakeholders needed to be involved at every stage of the process to ensure their viewpoints were heard and to promote collaborative approach to knowledge mobilization. Among the instruments and strategies that HEIs used to assess the effectiveness of the Knowledge Mobilization of their research results were survey and interviews, impact assessments, feedback and evaluation from their clients, and government directives. The study showed that effective external knowledge mobilization promotes and strengthens social progress, innovation, and productivity with a collaborative community whose dynamic participation can efficiently synthesize the different sources of knowledge made available and accessible to them. But institutions have to put in place a mechanism that will integrate across their operations and strategies a system of recognizing and acquiring external knowledge such as collaborating with other academic institutions and professional organizations, forming consortia or partnership with industries and other universities, and using modern technology such as digital platforms, online communities, and social media to make it easier for individuals and institutions to connect, share, and access external knowledge and to accelerate external knowledge mobilization. Adding Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability to the system and applying it in practical settings will also significantly enhance the effectiveness of HEIs’ research and knowledge mobilization capabilities.