The Role of University Boards on Academic Research Production in Canada: An Exploratory Study
Keywords:
university boards, research universities, academic research production, university governance, stakeholdersAbstract
Higher education systems are at the core of knowledge societies’ scientific production. In most countries, research universities account for an important proportion of research funding and publications. Although several studies have examined the governance of these institutions, few studies have focused on the role of university boards. The objective of this article is to explore boards’ roles in supporting the research mission of large research universities in Canada. The exploratory qualitative study is based on semi-structured interviews with board members of seven universities in five provinces. Continuous thematization suggests that boards of trustees contribute to an organizational environment favorable to research, put research at the top of universities’ strategic issues, controlling institutions’ financial management and, in the case of external members, link the academic community to society.
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