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The balance of knowledge flows

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  • Abramo, Giovanni
  • D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea
  • Carloni, Massimiliano

Abstract

In analogy to the technology balance of payments, in this paper we propose a possible way to set up a “balance of knowledge flows” (BKF), recording world flows of knowledge within the scientific community. Adopting a pure bibliometric approach, the “knowledge” traced in the BKF is that produced and exchanged by the scientific community by means of publications and relevant citations. A description of the theoretical foundation of such a tool is presented together with its empirical testing over the scientific production of four different countries. The BKF can be part of yearly reports of science and technology indicators, aimed at informing research policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Abramo, Giovanni & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Carloni, Massimiliano, 2019. "The balance of knowledge flows," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:13:y:2019:i:1:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2018.11.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abramo, Giovanni & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea, 2018. "Who benefits from a country’s scientific research?," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 249-258.
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    1. Abramo, Giovanni & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Di Costa, Flavia, 2021. "On the relation between the degree of internationalization of cited and citing publications: A field level analysis, including and excluding self-citations," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(1).
    2. Lai, Kuei-Kuei & Bhatt, Priyanka C. & Kumar, Vimal & Chen, Hsueh-Chen & Chang, Yu-Hsin & Su, Fang-Pei, 2021. "Identifying the impact of patent family on the patent trajectory: A case of thin film solar cells technological trajectories," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2).
    3. Abramo, Giovanni & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Di Costa, Flavia, 2020. "The role of geographical proximity in knowledge diffusion, measured by citations to scientific literature," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1).
    4. Qin Zhang & Juneman Abraham & Hui-Zhen Fu, 2020. "Collaboration and its influence on retraction based on retracted publications during 1978–2017," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(1), pages 213-232, October.
    5. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo, 2020. "The domestic localization of knowledge flows as evidenced by publication citation: the case of Italy," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(2), pages 1305-1329, November.

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