Exploring the impact of ecological Systems on the research performance of the early career academics in Pakistan

Abstract

Universities play a vital role, by creating knowledge and imparting skills, moral values, ethics, and principles that promote sustainability, in society through research. However, returned early career academics (RECAs) face significant challenges in research due to ecological changes among region. This study aimed to explore the impact of ecological systems on the research performance of RECAs in Pakistan. This study implemented a qualitative research method and used an exploratory research design. A self-developed semi-structured interview protocol, based on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, for returnees was designed to collect data from both genders the male and female faculty members at Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS), Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan. 23 participants, in their early career of 3-7 years after completion of Ph.D. and MS degrees from foreign countries, were purposively sampled. All the participants from different departments were interviewed face-to-face. Recorded interviews in audio form were transcribed into English and then analyzed by NVivo Software. Results highlighted undesirable effects of the ecological system: microsystem, exosystem, and macrosystem level factors on RECAs’ research performance in the university. At the microsystem level, the study found participants’ challenges in interacting with domestic colleagues, and at the exosystem level, the study found participants’ challenges due to discrepancies between international and domestic institutional policies. At the level of the macrosystem, participants face challenges to re-adapt culture and re-integrate with domestic environmental components. Moreover, the study concludes by discussing the implications of these findings, acknowledging limitations, and providing future study suggestions.