Knowledge Management Competences for Research Managers in European Higher Education

A Mixed-Methods Study and Alignment with RM Comp

Abstract

What is new?

As higher education institutions (HEIs) operate in increasingly project-based and complex research environments, the ability to coordinate, share, and mobilise knowledge has become critical for research management (RM). Yet the knowledge management (KM) competences underpinning this work remain under-conceptualised and largely unexplored. This paper addresses this gap by empirically examining KM competences in research management and their representation within the European Competence Framework for Research Managers (RM Comp).

What was the approach?

This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study combined a qualitative analysis of three KM competence frameworks with a survey of 119 research managers from HEIs across Europe. KM competences identified in the qualitative phase were translated into survey items and quantitatively assessed for their perceived importance in practice. The integrated findings were subsequently compared with the European Competence Framework for Research Managers (RM Comp) to examine competence representation and areas of alignment and of limited representation.

What is the academic impact?

The findings demonstrate that knowledge management competences are highly relevant to RM practice, with learning, facilitation, and knowledge coordination emerging as particularly important dimensions. Although many of these competences are reflected within RM Comp, they are represented largely in an implicit and fragmented manner. The study provides one of the first empirically grounded examinations of KM competences in research management and suggests that knowledge management should be understood not merely as an additional competence required by research managers, but rather as a conceptual lens through which many of the profession's core activities can be understood.

What is the wider impact?

The study highlights the need to strengthen KM-related training, professional development, and competence frameworks within research management. Recognising research managers as key actors in knowledge coordination and organisational learning can support more effective knowledge flows, collaboration, and institutional capacity-building. More explicit integration of KM competences into frameworks such as RM Comp may help align professional development with contemporary RM practice and support future professionalisation initiatives.