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Networks as sponges: International collaboration for developing nanomedicine in China

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  • Leung, Ricky C.

Abstract

Previous research tended to emphasize the benefits of international collaboration. This emphasis has led to a common belief that international collaboration will necessarily enhance productivity in science, innovativeness, and even societal impact. Yet, benefits and costs are relative. Economic actors and scientists do not perceive benefits in the same way in all contexts, and there are situational barriers to overcome for materializing the benefits of collaboration. This study examines the case of Chinese science actors who develop medical applications with nanotechnology, and highlights the “barriers to networks” when scientists attempt to collaborate overseas for an emerging technology. I present my findings with the metaphors of “pipes”, “prisms”, and “sponges”, and propose a framework for evaluating the utility of international collaborative networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Leung, Ricky C., 2013. "Networks as sponges: International collaboration for developing nanomedicine in China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 211-219.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:42:y:2013:i:1:p:211-219
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2012.05.001
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    5. Wagner, Caroline S. & Whetsell, Travis A. & Mukherjee, Satyam, 2019. "International research collaboration: Novelty, conventionality, and atypicality in knowledge recombination," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5), pages 1260-1270.
    6. Ping Zhou & Lutz Bornmann, 2015. "An overview of academic publishing and collaboration between China and Germany," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(2), pages 1781-1793, February.
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    8. Lei Hou & Jiashan Luo & Xue Pan, 2022. "Research Topic Specialization of Universities in Information Science and Library Science and Its Impact on Inter-University Collaboration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, July.
    9. Guan, JianCheng & Zuo, KaiRui & Chen, KaiHua & Yam, Richard C.M., 2016. "Does country-level R&D efficiency benefit from the collaboration network structure?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 770-784.

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