What defines an institutional conflict of interest?

An institutional conflict of interest arises when the interests of an institution, such as a university or research facility, conflict with the ethical obligations of research integrity. This situation can occur when an institution’s financial interests, commitments, or goals influence its research decisions, potentially compromising the reliability or objectivity of the research being conducted.

For example, if a university has a financial stake in a particular company, researchers may feel pressured to produce favorable results that align with the institution's financial interests rather than the unbiased pursuit of knowledge. This conflict can undermine trust in the validity of the research findings and compromise the adherence to ethical standards in research practices.

By focusing on institutional interests clashing with research integrity, it highlights a broader perspective on how organizational motivations can affect the integrity of the research process, something that is critical in maintaining transparency and credibility in scientific results.