College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023 28 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION RESEARCH OUTPUT In 2023, the College of Business and Economics (CBE) demonstrated remarkable growth in its research output, achieving a total of 1 256 submissions approved for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This figure signifies an appreciable increase of 121 publications compared to the previous year. The contributions spanned an increase of 61% in books, 9% in journal articles and 5% in book chapters. These publications translate into 738 research output units (ROUs), marking a significant rise from 677 ROUs in 2022. These metrics not only highlight the CBE’s commitment to academic excellence but also its strategic role in advancing UJ’s research agenda, and its intentional contribution to reinforce UJ’s status as a research-intensive university. The growth in research output at the CBE underscores its importance in bolstering the academic reputation, facilitating knowledge creation and dissemination, impacting societal progress, promoting international collaboration, and enhancing student engagement and learning. RESEARCH IMPACT Productivity The CBE has continued to demonstrate significant progress in its research impact, as evidenced by the growth in its Scopus-indexed publications. In 2022, the CBE recorded 674 publications listed in Scopus, a number that rose to 762 in 2023, marking a commendable 13% increase in its Scopus publication count. This growth underscores the CBE’s commitment to producing high-quality, globally recognised research. 2023 marked a year of notable achievements across various scholarly communities within the College. The postdoctoral research fellows (PDRFs), a critical component of the institution’s research engine, demonstrated significant progress by increasing their collective contribution to 97 ROUs in 2023, up from 88.98 ROUs in the preceding year. This growth is a testament to the enhanced research activities and output quality driven by the postdoctoral community. Simultaneously, the student body showed commendable growth in its research engagement Prof Hossana Twinomurinzi Vice-Dean: Research, Innovation, and Internationalisation College of Business and Economics and productivity. The student contribution to the CBE’s publications witnessed a remarkable increase, rising from 89.42 ROUs in the previous year to 104.12 ROUs in 2023. This upward trajectory reflects the students’ burgeoning involvement in research, underpinned by the College’s supportive academic environment and mentorship, which foster a culture of inquiry and scholarly excellence. Moreover, the visiting scholars programme at CBE has further amplified the College’s research output, with visiting academics contributing 73.86 ROUs in 2023, an impressive rise from 57.33 ROUs in the previous year. The visiting scholars bring diverse perspectives and expertise, enriching the academic discourse and collaborative research endeavours at the CBE. These collective achievements across postdoctoral researchers, students, and visiting scholars underscore the vibrant research ecosystem at the CBE. The concerted efforts and synergies among these groups significantly bolster the College’s research productivity, reflecting its commitment to generating impactful knowledge and contributing to the broader academic and societal landscape. The CBE’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a dynamic research community plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing its reputation as a leading institution for business and economics research.
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