This review reveals that the top level commitment and support are probably the most crucial variables in enabling a research presence to flourish. If the department, sees itself as a teaching organisation and not as a research one, or as a profit making enterprise rather than a learning focussed one, then establishment of a research environment will remain difficult and possibly even surplus to requirements. In a large number of the papers reviewed the question of time allocation and release from teaching load was discussed. It seems that this is an issue at the heart of research culture development; an issue that requires careful and honest consideration. The conflict between teaching and research, if not addressed, is likely to lead to the impoverishment of one or the other. A stable, supportive and yet adaptable research administration system is suggested, indeed probably a separate office to carry out the function. Communication and sharing of ideas and progress appears to contribute to the development of a research culture. This might take the form of collegial networks and the sharing of literature and publications. It is also suggested that a research presence might be enhanced by establishing a strategy for research support and by identifying favoured research topics that reflect the organisational culture.