Assessment of the research field in the European universities and analysis of the research projects impact on academic performance

Abstract

The research concept refers to the search for information; it can be defined as a scientific and systematic search for relevant information on a particular topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. Some consider research to be a movement, a movement from knowledge to ignorance. In this sense, the article allows to carry out an evaluation of the field of research within the universities of Europe regarding the research process in the university environment and the impact of the research projects on the academic performances. Bucharest University of Economic Studies have been involved in different scientific research projects in order to foster the modernization of the textile field, to create a favourable environment for the textile companies where they can develop their activities, implicitly supporting a sustainable development of this industry. One of the strategic directions for such development was to design and support the development of clusters for competitiveness in this field. Through this paper, we have conducted an in-depth analysis of the impact of research projects in the Bucharest University of Economic Studies in the period 2014‒2018, using the propensity score method and performing a descriptive analysis of the data. One of the main results obtained, which is also consistent with the literature, is that research projects in the academic environment have a significant impact on the performance index h, the coefficient of the variable h index being statistically positive and significant. Thus, with an increase in the number of teachers benefiting from research projects, index h will also register an increase at the level of each individual. Funding based on academic performance can widen the gap between research and teaching. Therefore, the quality measurement instruments of the research should be treated with greater indulgence, as it is not possible to describe the contributions of an individual in a certain field of research based on simple numerical values.