The role of academic freedom in enhancing research productivity: mediating effects of Human Development Index (HDI) in a global context

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationships between academic freedom and research productivity, focusing on the mediating role of the Human Development Index (HDI). Specifically, it investigates how academic freedom influences human development and research productivity. The underlying theoretical framework is derived from Amartya Sen’s (1999) “development as freedom” concept, which posits that freedom, in various forms, is both the primary end and the principal means of development. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes the Academic Freedom Index for the year 2022 from the V-Dem Dataset Version 14 (V-Dem 2024) as a measure of academic freedom, the HDI for 2022 as a measure of human development (UNDP, 2021) and the Scimago Country H-Index as a measure of research productivity. A sample of 150 countries was selected based on HDI, H-Index and academic freedom data availability. A mediation analysis was conducted within a generalized linear model (GLM) framework to empirically test the hypotheses. Findings The finding reveals that academic freedom does not directly affect research productivity (estimate = 11.461 and p = 0.911). However, it indirectly influences the H-Index through the mediation of HDI (indirect effect = 228.741, p = 0.002). One of the significant findings is that academic freedom positively and significantly impacts human development (estimate = 0.141 and p < 0.001). The total effect of academic freedom on the H-Index is significant (total effect = 240.202 and p = 0.046). The model shows that academic freedom and human development explain 34.3% of the variance in the H-Index or research productivity. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence supporting Amartya Sen’s concept of “development as freedom” in the context of educational and public policy. It offers insights into academic freedom’s pivotal role in promoting global human development and knowledge production.