Effective university management for enhancing national research capabilities in Japan: from the motivation perspective of mid- and early-career researchers in science and engineering fields

Driven by Japan's declining research capabilities, this study aims to elucidate how university-level management can foster an environment conducive to autonomously motivated research. A questionnaire survey of mid- and early-career researchers in science and engineering, excluding the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical fields, assessed motivations, perceptions, and research achievements. A quantitative approach, including multiple regression analysis, was supplemented with qualitative insights from open-ended responses. The findings indicate that autonomously motivated research is the primary reason for pursuing an academic career and, although not conducted as widely as expected, yields impactful and innovative results. These results imply that reforming university-level management to support autonomously motivated research is crucial for enhancing national research capabilities. Effective university-level management strategies identified include expanding tenured posts, increasing stable institutional research funds, evaluating long-term research impact in promotion reviews, and fostering ‘goal-internalisation motivation’. Enacting national policies promoting these university-level management practices may also be beneficial.