Abstract

RMAN-J, the Japanese professional association for university research management, surveyed the characteristics and intentions of its members from July to August 2022. The purpose of the survey is to grasp the task and employment environment and strengthen the professional position of research managers and administrators (RMAs) in Japanese universities and research institutes. The response through an Internet questionnaire was voluntary and anonymous. Finally, 283 individual members replied (response rate, 44%). Then, we analysed the data as the survey working group.
The survey questionnaire consisted of 56 items in seven sections. The sections contained the face sheet, career, tasks, employment, organisation, job selection and satisfaction, and opinion on RMAN-J. As for the respondents’ age, 40-49 years old were 35.3%, 50-59 years old were 30.0%, 30-39 years old were 17.0%, and 60 years old and over were 30.0%. Females accounted for 39.9% of the respondents, and males were 60.1%. National universities occupied a significant proportion (61.5%) as organisations they belonged to, and private universities (18.0%) followed. The respondents had relatively high educational qualifications. Concerning the highest degree, 50.5% held a doctorate, 30.0% had a master’s degree, and 17.3% had a bachelor’s degree.
The respondents evaluated job satisfaction on a 5-point scale. The level of task satisfaction was high. “Very satisfied” (22.6%) and “somewhat satisfied” (47.3%) were dominant. The professional attraction of RMAs, such as speciality, diversity, and research linkage, appears to have produced the results. On the other hand, satisfaction with working conditions was relatively low. The sum of “very satisfied” (13.6%) and “somewhat satisfied” (35.4%) lacked a majority. “Very dissatisfied” and “somewhat satisfied” accounted for 7.0% and 21.0%, respectively.
The survey also asked the respondents the strongest cause of the complaints about working conditions. The most frequently answered cause was the insufficiency of assessment systems, such as the promotion standards (23.5%).
Compensation (22.2%) and employment status (15.6%) followed. As a result of cross-tabulations, the type of main dissatisfaction and the presence of dissatisfaction were significantly dependent on age and gender.
The results seem to reflect the employment environment of Japanese research managers and administrators. In Japan, they have not gotten enough acceptance from faculty due to the diversity and ambiguity of their tasks. Job descriptions are much less detailed than in the United States or Europe. Additionally, a large proportion of them is in fixed-term employment.
The demographics of the respondents were both different and similar when compared to international surveys such as RAAAP. The employment environment and its findings are likely influenced by social structure and organisational culture. The relationships between faculty and RMAs also depend on the culture of a nation.
Therefore, we would like to know the job satisfaction of RMAs in other countries and discuss how to improve satisfaction with working conditions.