Informational barriers and organizational challenges in agreement management between universities and Research Support Foundations

Abstract

This paper aims the topic of information management in agreements signed between universities and Research Support Foundations. The goal is to identify the information barriers related to the execution of agreements signed between public universities located in the state of Paraná and the Araucária Foundation, and to propose possible solutions based on Information Management theory so as to improve the oversight of the signed agreements. It´s qualitative exploratory research with multiple case studies. The Federal University of Paraná and the State University of Maringá were investigated, using the following techniques for data collection: interviews, questionnaires and documental research. The main results identified were related to information barriers associated with the execution of the agreements, such as: lack of communication; communication failure; untimely communication and limitations in communication channels; technology (inexistence of a computerized system; non-integration between systems), limitations to access and use of information, lack of quality of information; and lack of transparency. In addition to information barriers, organizational challenges were also identified, including: excessive bureaucracy; absence of technologies; lack of knowledge and deficiencies in administrative management. It contributes to a more accurate understanding of the informational barriers that can hinder the execution of agreements signed between public universities and Research Support Foundations and helps universities in terms of rethinking how information management can contribute to the management of agreements and thus optimize the use of acquired resources.