SDG4 Academic Research Productivity in the EU27: Economic Factors and COVID-19 Impacts
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| Title: | SDG4 Academic Research Productivity in the EU27: Economic Factors and COVID-19 Impacts |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nikša Alfirević, Lena Malešević Perović, Maja Mihaljević Kosor |
| Source: | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2026 27(1):237-253. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Research, Research Problems, Productivity, Government Role, Research Opportunities, Financial Support, COVID-19, Pandemics, Economic Factors, Environmental Influences, Performance Factors, Sustainable Development |
| Geographic Terms: | European Union |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2023-0366 |
| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This paper aims to examine the factors influencing 2018-2022 research productivity related to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) in the EU-27 considering the COVID-19 epidemic. Design/methodology/approach: This paper applies the two-panel estimators to bibliometric data from Scopus and relevant indicators, focusing on the previously achieved scientific productivity levels, national GDP, government education expenditures and the COVID-19 contingency variables. This study addresses the information gap regarding pertinent elements influencing SDG4 research productivity. Findings: Research productivity in SDG4 is negatively impacted by government spending on education and the SDG4 goal score and positively impacted by the lagged number of prior SDG4 publications and GDP per capita. Research limitations/implications: The robustness of the results across several panel estimators, the necessity of evaluating interactions with other SDGs and the possibly restricted generalizability of the findings outside the EU-27 sample are limitations acknowledged in this work. Originality/value: Nations with high levels of SDG4 implementation are becoming less interested in conducting related studies or hinting at a possible systemic mismatch between research and policy at the EU level. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a positive effect on SDG4 research output, indicating that external obstacles to the research process should be contextualized by examining a range of contingency elements in addition to being perceived as general obstacles. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503619 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This paper aims to examine the factors influencing 2018-2022 research productivity related to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) in the EU-27 considering the COVID-19 epidemic. Design/methodology/approach: This paper applies the two-panel estimators to bibliometric data from Scopus and relevant indicators, focusing on the previously achieved scientific productivity levels, national GDP, government education expenditures and the COVID-19 contingency variables. This study addresses the information gap regarding pertinent elements influencing SDG4 research productivity. Findings: Research productivity in SDG4 is negatively impacted by government spending on education and the SDG4 goal score and positively impacted by the lagged number of prior SDG4 publications and GDP per capita. Research limitations/implications: The robustness of the results across several panel estimators, the necessity of evaluating interactions with other SDGs and the possibly restricted generalizability of the findings outside the EU-27 sample are limitations acknowledged in this work. Originality/value: Nations with high levels of SDG4 implementation are becoming less interested in conducting related studies or hinting at a possible systemic mismatch between research and policy at the EU level. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a positive effect on SDG4 research output, indicating that external obstacles to the research process should be contextualized by examining a range of contingency elements in addition to being perceived as general obstacles. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-6370 1758-6739 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2023-0366 |
