The motivating factors for productivity in R&D: Preliminary results of a survey in some engineering schools in Turkey

Engineering schools are among major establishments where important research and technological development activities take place. However, academia has its own way of doing things and accomplishing research goals. It can be postulated that academic R&D teams require a unique portfolio of management practices, which has not been broadly discussed in the literature. In virtue of this gap, and the need for understanding the characteristics of the attitudes of academics in engineering schools, a questionnaire of 60 specially designed questions covering areas like personal and social life, productivity in research, motivating factors in working environment, multi-disciplinary work, and relations with industry and innovation had been sent out to the schools of engineering. 242 questioners turned in by faculty members, teaching and research assistants and instructors were statistically analyzed to identify the nature of their thinking. The findings are believed to be helpful in managing these significant human resources for increased motivation and productivity in R&D activities.