LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study examines the role of administrative management in influencing the research productivity of Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) lecturers across various career stages. Set against the backdrop of Vietnam’s evolving educational landscape, the study aims to understand how administrative practices and policies impact the research endeavours of EFL lecturers. Employing a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with nine EFL lecturers from two different Vietnamese institutions, representing novice, mid-career, and near-end career stages. Thematic analysis, guided by Resource Dependency Theory and Socio-Cultural Theory, revealed four key themes: perceived imbalance in resource allocation, the impact of administrative support on research motivation, bureaucratic challenges affecting research productivity, and the role of interpersonal dynamics and collaborative opportunities. The findings highlight a complex interplay between resource availability, institutional support, bureaucratic structures, and socio-cultural elements within academic institutions, significantly impacting research productivity.