Research University Research Competitiveness Strategy And Countermeasures

Research is the critical activity of research universities. Research competitiveness is important not only to the universities themselves,but to the competitiveness of the nation. The paper first discusses the position and functions of the research universities in the national innovation system,then goes on to the concept of research competitiveness of the research university,and the determinants of research competitiveness among universities. The factors that shape research competitiveness include a research-productive faculty who are recruited in national markets and whose performance is vetted by national norms for research outcome;competitive salary levels and teaching loads;high-quality graduate students;state-of-the-art equipment and research facilities;flexible and supportive organizational arrangements and institutional policies;and a supportive central administration which makes national standards of research performance a key institutional objective.The paper then goes on to the concept of research competitiveness strategy. And emphasis on the strategic options to enhance the research competitiveness of the research universities based on the review of famous research universities in foreign countries,and the present state of research universities in China,especially the problems in the research activities. Four strategies are considered:increase the number,size,and quality of research proposals;niche market strategy;interdisciplinarity;and collaboration. In each case the strategy is briefly described,followed by an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.In the end of the paper,the author makes some suggestions on carrying out the strategies for enhancing the research competitiveness of research universities from five aspects.