The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences identified research as one of its critical performance areas and therefore launched a number of initiatives during 2001 to develop this area.

A round-table discussion on research, held in May, was attended by all stakeholders in the Faculty. The ensuing discussion group worked towards identifying a research strategy for the Faculty and addressing hindrances to research. A research committee was appointed and tasked with the drafting of a Research Management Plan for the Faculty.

The report of the research committee was approved, initially by the members of the discussion group and subsequently also in a Faculty meeting. The main focus of the plan is to foster a research culture in the Faculty and build research capacity by engaging more young academics and postgraduate students in research. The Faculty's Research Management Plan serves as one of the source documents from which a comprehensive Research Strategy for the University of Pretoria is being drafted.

During 2001 the Faculty engaged in a process of self-assessment regarding the research conducted in its three Schools (the School of Financial Sciences, the School of Economic Sciences and the School of Management Sciences). The main focus areas in which future research in the Faculty should be concentrated were identified by means of a process of analysis, prioritisation and elimination.

The Faculty currently has three accredited journals, namely the South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, Meditari Accountancy Journal, and the Journal of Public Administration. These journals are valuable assets of the Faculty since articles published in them are circulated all over the world. A number of initiatives are being planned to further promote the recognition of these journals.

Research capacity in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is enhanced, among others, by increasing the quality and number of postgraduate students. As part of our research strategy, the Higher Degree Committee of the Faculty has drafted a document on the strategy and management of postgraduate degrees. This document provides guidelines on the procedures, programme structures, regulations, etc., that are relevant to tuition and research in Higher Degrees.

For details of the research achievements of the different Departments in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, refer to the individual sections containing information on the research output of each.