Reflections on Research and Research Intelligence in a Private Higher Education in South Africa: A Collaborative Autoethnographic Study

Globally, higher education remains a highly competitive environment, where striving towards good institutional reputation, as well as academic and research stature is high on the agendas. As such, research intelligence is fast becoming a topic of discussion. Measuring progress and success is a strategic and data-driven process. This paper reports on a collaborative autoethnographic study on a research capacity development project. It further explores the importance of the management of research towards creating, managing and utilising data-driven research intelligence in a private higher education institution in South Africa. Reflecting on this project, stretching over a five-year period, the study aims to shed light on further implementations by exploring how available data could translate into research intelligence. The study considers the role of research intelligence by comparing it to the strategic value of strategic and business intelligence. It explores how reliable research intelligence could inform and support strategies in developing a maturing academic environment, and how current and potential solutions could be applied for strategic decision making. The study adds knowledge to an under-researched area in higher education in South Africa. It offers recommendation for more effective management of research data and research intelligence.