Aligning research with the SDGs: development and validation of the Research Agenda Prioritization Scale (RAPS)

Purpose Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study develops and validates the Research Agenda Prioritization Scale (RAPS) as a tool designed to identify institutional factors and individual factors that affect how academics prioritize their research agenda. This study provides a globally relevant tool that enhances the understanding of how research priorities can be aligned with addressing major societal and sustainability challenges. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Study 1 focused on scale development through literature review, nine in-depth interviews with management scholars and experts panel evaluations. Study 2 validated the scale using survey responses from 362 academics across multiple regions and institutions. SmartPLS 4 was applied to assess reliability, validity and overall model fit. Findings The validated scale comprises 32 institutional and 28 individual items. Institutional pressure emerged as the strongest institutional factor. On the individual scale, Command in Field was the most influential factor. The results confirm the RAPS as a reliable and valid measurement instrument. Practical implications The RAPS provides universities, research institutions and funding institutions with a tool that enables an alignment of academic research agendas with the UN SDGs. Social implications By clarifying agenda-setting influencers, the RAPS supports a research agenda that more effectively addresses societal and environmental challenges, bridging the gap between academic research and SDGs. Originality/value This is the first validated scale to measure both institutional factors and individual factors influencing research agenda prioritization, contributing to theory and practice.