WORKING CONDITIONS, TRAINING, AND RESEARCH CULTURE AS PREDICTORS OF RESEARCH COMPETENCE AMONG LECTURERS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the influence of working condition and training on research competence among lecturers in public universities in Nigeria, with research culture as a mediating variable. The study adopted a quantitative research design, utilizing Partial Least Squares structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS to analyze data collected from lecturers at the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire measured constructs of Working Condition, Training, Research Culture, and Research Competence. The structural model showed that training had a strong positive effect on research culture (â = 0.542, p < 0.001), and working condition moderately influenced research culture (â = 0.370, p < 0.001). Research culture, in turn, positively influenced research competence (â = 0.282, p = 0.030), while the direct effects of training on research competence were insignificant and working condition had a negative but significant effect (â = -0.225, p = 0.023). R² values indicated that training and working condition explained 68.3% of the variance in research culture but only 8.3% of research competence. Effect size (f²) analysis confirmed the large impact of training on research culture and the mediating role of research culture in enhancing research competence. The findings suggest that strengthening training programmes and fostering a supportive research culture are critical for enhancing lecturers' research competence. Universities should also optimize working conditions to prevent negative impacts on research outcomes.