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Diversification versus specialization in scientific research: Which strategy pays off?

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  • Abramo, Giovanni
  • D'Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea
  • Di Costa, Flavia

Abstract

The current work addresses a theme previously unexplored in the literature: that of whether the results arising from research activity in fields other than the scientist's primary field have greater value than the others. Operationally, the authors proceed by identifying: the scientific production of each researcher under observation; field classification of the publications; the field containing the greatest number of the researcher's publications; attribution of value of each publication. The results show that diversification at the aggregate level does not pay off, although there are some exceptions at the level of individual disciplines. The implications at policy level are notable. Since the incentive systems of research organizations are based on the impact of scientific output, the scientists concerned could resist engaging in multidisciplinary projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Abramo, Giovanni & D'Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Di Costa, Flavia, 2019. "Diversification versus specialization in scientific research: Which strategy pays off?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 82, pages 51-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:82-83:y:2019:i::p:51-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2018.06.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Calof, Jonathan & Søilen, Klaus Solberg & Klavans, Richard & Abdulkader, Bisan & Moudni, Ismail El, 2022. "Understanding the structure, characteristics, and future of collective intelligence using local and global bibliometric analyses," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    4. Víctor Meseguer-Sánchez & Emilio Abad-Segura & Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña & Valentín Molina-Moreno, 2020. "Examining the Research Evolution on the Socio-Economic and Environmental Dimensions on University Social Responsibility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-30, July.
    5. Abramo, Giovanni & Aksnes, Dag W. & D’Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea, 2021. "Gender differences in research performance within and between countries: Italy vs Norway," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2).
    6. Zhang, Lin & Qi, Fan & Sivertsen, Gunnar & Liang, Liming & Campbell, David, 2023. "Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of changing specialization in scientific careers," SocArXiv ep5bx, Center for Open Science.
    7. Elmira Janavi & Mohammad Javad Mansourzadeh & Mojgan Samandar Ali Eshtehardi, 2020. "A methodology for developing scientific diversification strategy of countries," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(3), pages 2229-2264, December.
    8. Gaetan de Rassenfosse & Kyle Higham & Orion Penner, 2022. "Scientific rewards for biomedical specialization are large and persistent," Working Papers 19, Chair of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy.

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