The Perceptions of Research Supervisors on the Academic Rating Index (ARI) in Transforming Postgraduate Supervision at Selected South African Universities

Abstract This qualitative study employed the UTAUT model to investigate the adoption of the Academic Rating Index (ARI) as a tool for enhancing research supervision quality, as perceived by research supervisors at selected South African universities. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with 10 research supervisors at two residential universities in South Africa, recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. The data were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti-24. Performance Expectancy and Effort Expectancy showed potential to influence research supervisors’ acceptance and use of the ARI. Social Influence had a limited impact. Participants perceived the ARI as a valuable tool for reflection and improvement in research supervision because of its comprehensiveness, accessibility, simplicity, and clarity, but it required power and stable internet connectivity. Any potential negative effects of the ARI could not outweigh its benefits, especially the improved quality of research supervision. Participants expressed a strong willingness to adopt the ARI, provided their universities implemented it and created conditions that encouraged its use. The strength of Facilitating Conditions depended on the sustained availability of electricity and stable internet, the anonymity of ratings, and training. This study reinforced the UTAUT’s application in the area of evaluation and feedback systems in higher education, particularly research supervision. The research shows that the adoption of the ARI can improve supervisory relationships, influence supervision policies, and reinforce the digital transformation agenda at the selected universities. It is recommended that future research involve a larger, more varied sample from multiple institutions, including students, research managers, and IT staff to provide insights into the ARI’s effectiveness and the ethical issues arising from its use.