Factors Affecting Achievement and Impacts of Research Projects in Project Package of Para-Rubber Industry Development

Abstract

This article aims to analyze factors affecting the achievement of research projects in the project package of para-rubber industry development, and to investigate the impacts of those research projects. The data were collected using structured questionnaires from 101 research project leaders; in addition, in–depth interviews were used with the key informants of the 15 research projects using purposive selection. Descriptive statistics, ordered probit regression and manifest content analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed a moderate level of overall achievement of the research projects. The statistically significant factors affecting the achievement of the research projects were general research experience of the research project leaders, research grant, remuneration for the research project leaders, interaction with external research networks, utilization of facilities of the host organization, and the environment of the host organization affecting the efficiency and achievement of the research projects. Impacts of the research projects consist of 3 parts: (1) impacts on the researchers, i.e., increased skills and ability to conduct research, enhanced research management and teaching skills, being invited as a keynote speaker and consultant as well as employing of the research outputs for a higher academic position, (2) impacts on the graduates participating in the research projects, i.e., spending less time to get a job after graduation, comparatively high remuneration as well as becoming specialized, and (3) impacts on the third party utilizing research outputs. The results are useful for the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), other research grant associations and educational institutions to formulate appropriate policy for further research supports.