Factor Analysis of Academic Research Impact Across Socio-Economic Dimensions: A Cross-Sectional Study of State Islamic Universities in Sumatra

Abstract

University research principally generates outputs, outcomes, and impacts that enhance academic performance and socio-economic contributions. The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs assesses these aspects through the ARKAN Program with a focus on outputs and outcomes. However, the study of the impact of academic research on socio-economic sectors remains very limited. Therefore, this research aims to map the academic research impact based on socio-economic factors and their underlying dimensions, especially among lecturers at State Islamic Universities, using a factor analysis approach. The data gathering was collected through interviews and questionnaires with lecturers from UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, UIN Suska Riau, UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, and UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, respectively. The results revealed that researchers have identified four key social dimensions, namely equality, knowledge exchange, employability and opportunities, and quality of life, each with distinct indicators. In the economic domain, the main influential dimensions include business development, job opportunities, public facilities, productivity, and income growth. From a socio-economic perspective, researchers emphasize equality, knowledge exchange, quality of life, business development, job opportunities, public facilities, productivity, and income growth, while notably excluding employability and opportunities as distinct dimensions.