Policy Implications of Business Research in Africa: A Mixed Methods Study of the Moroccan Context, 2010–2025

This mixed-methods study addresses the critical gap in understanding how indigenous business and management research informs national policy formulation within Morocco, representing a broader African context. It interrogates the perceived disconnect between academic scholarship and practical governance. The research employs a sequential explanatory design for the period 2010–2025, incorporating a prospective element to analyse emerging trends. It commences with a quantitative content analysis of strategic policy documents and relevant business research outputs from Moroccan institutions, using NVivo software to identify thematic linkages and citation patterns. Subsequently, qualitative semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders—including senior policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives—are thematically analysed to explore the mechanisms and barriers to research uptake. Preliminary findings indicate that while thematic alignment between research foci and policy priorities has improved since the early 2010s, direct instrumental use of local research remains limited. Key impediments include a lack of formalised knowledge-exchange platforms and a policy culture that frequently prioritises international consultancy over domestic academic expertise. The study concludes by arguing for institutionalised frameworks to facilitate sustained dialogue. Its significance lies in proposing an evidence-based, context-specific model for enhancing the impact of business scholarship on national governance and sustainable economic development.