The Zambian business environment presents unique challenges for research, constraining evidence-based policy formulation. A systematic analysis of these constraints and potential strategic pathways is required to enhance the quality and impact of business research in the region. This policy analysis aims to identify the principal constraints on rigorous business research within Zambia and to propose actionable policy mechanisms to mitigate these barriers, thereby strengthening the research ecosystem. The analysis employs a mixed-methods approach, synthesising data from policy documents, institutional reports, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify persistent structural and operational barriers. A dominant theme was the critical insufficiency of dedicated research funding, with an estimated three-quarters of interviewed researchers citing it as the primary impediment. This scarcity is compounded by limited institutional support and logistical challenges in data access, creating a cycle of low-quality, non-replicable studies. The constraints identified are systemic and deeply embedded, requiring coordinated policy intervention rather than piecemeal solutions. Strengthening the research infrastructure is fundamental for generating reliable insights into the Zambian business landscape. Key recommendations include establishing a centralised national business research fund, creating public-private data-sharing protocols, and incentivising university-industry research partnerships through tax credits. research policy, business environment, Zambia, capacity building, funding constraints, evidence-based policy This article provides a novel policy mechanism framework, the Integrated Research Support System (IRSS), designed to address funding, data, and institutional barriers in a synergistic manner.
Sampa et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: