Table 1 Insights on how to overcome the key barriers in building research network capacity

Understand the local context and accurately assess the existing research capacity

Conduct an initial evaluation of the current background;

Assess for available baseline resources;

Evaluate feasibility of capacity building activities

Fragmented research systems;

Insufficient use of evidence;

Inefficient administration and management

[5, 6]

Use research evidence in practice and policy

Work towards integrating evidence into regulatory, legislative, and policy frameworks;

Establish platforms to support evidence uptake at all levels;

Foster dialogue and engagement between researchers and users of research evidence

Insufficient use of evidence;

Limited practical experiences;

Lack of research culture;

Limited governance and regulatory capacity

[4, 5]

Secure sufficient collaboration and network and establish strong partnership with funders

Build local, national and international collaborative network by involving numerous hospitals and clinical centers;

Develop collaborative communication;

Advance experience-sharing processes;

Procure long-term and joint funding

Fragmented research systems;

Insufficient networking;

Insufficient funding;

Limited practical experiences

[7, 8]

Increase human resources factors including the supervision and mentorship, and the skills and experiences

Foster and incentivize collaborations;

Establish platforms for exchange of ideas and cross-fertilization;

Create strong supervision and mentorship systems;

Expand collaborative network to secure maximum human resources support;

Enhance experience- and skill-sharing activities

Fragmented research systems;

Insufficient networking;

Limited practical experiences;

Limited human capacity with knowledge and skills;

Lack of mentors and role models

[9, 10]

Identify institutional leadership and environment evaluation

Support research infrastructure;

Align incentives or rewards with institutional goals and curricula with local and (inter)national needs;

Foster co-op or experiential learning

Fragmented research systems;

Lack of research leaders;

Low motivation;

Inadequate material capacity

[11, 12]