The cultural factors influencing the participation of university faculty members in the production of science

Background: One of the indicators for the development of any country is its scientific and technical production both on national and international levels. The universities play a pivotal role in the scientific productions of any country. Furthermore, the cultural factors have an immense influence on the production of science. In fact, scientific production and development cannot be achieved without accounting for the cultural and social issues. Aim: The aim of the present study is to determine the cultural factors affecting the participation of faculty members at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2015 in the production of science. Methods: The research method of the study is descriptive-survey. The data collection tool was researcher-constructed questionnaire. After confirming the validity and reliability, the sample was considered to be 260 faculty members at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Results: The results showed that behavioral patterns, attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms are respectively among the most important cultural factors affecting the participation of faculty members at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in the production of science. Conclusion: Accordingly, the following suggestions were made with regard to the role of cultural factors in the participation of university faculty members in the production of science: continuously selecting top researchers, allocating appropriate rewards for the production of science, improving the research skills of the faculty members, effective cooperation to improve scientific productions, trying to increase the most relevant scientific productions, interest and determining short- and long-term goals for the universities.