An Exploration of the Nature of Personal Engagement in Research Work in Technological Universities

Greene, Michelle (2024) An Exploration of the Nature of Personal Engagement in Research Work in Technological Universities. Doctoral thesis, SETU Waterford.

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Abstract

This study explores faculty engagement in research activity in their professional role at work in Technological Universities/Institutes of Technology (TU/IOT) In Ireland. It considers the personal experiences of faculty, across the sector, in relation to their environment, work role activities and relationships under conditions of change and uncertainty within the sector. The theoretical framework underpinning the study draws on a two-part theoretical framework: (1) employee engagement, teacher identity self-states and transformative learning theory; and (2) disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaborations, learning partnerships and social network relationships The study employs a sequential mixed methods approach. First it utilises bibliometrics, data mining and social network analysis to identify the potential population of interest, along with the research structures and activities of each IoT prior to the mergers. The second phase is comprised of twenty-eight semi-structured interviews with faculty who are either currently or formerly engaged in research activities in their role at work. The findings present data on the research activities and structures of each individual IoT prior to their TU merger. The breadth, depth and scale of each organisation’s sectoral areas of research activity is captured at a single point in time, pre-TU sectoral amalgamations. This study found that meaningfulness was an important factor in faculty research engagement, while management style and organisational systems and norms led to faculty disengagement in research activity in their role at work. Finally, the study has found that TU faculty experience duality in their professional identity: a parallel teacher identity and researcher identity that manifests in the tensions they experience as they navigate, negotiate and engage with their evolving professional role contexts within the TU sector.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Technological University, Higher Education, Faculty Role Identity, Engagement, Perspective Transformation, Identity
Departments or Groups:	*NONE OF THESE*
Divisions:	School of Business > Department of Management and Organization
Depositing User:	Derek Langford
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2024 14:01
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2024 14:01
URI:	https://repository.wit.ie/id/eprint/7846

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