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The effects of external collaboration on research output in engineering

Author

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  • Jorge Rodriguez Miramontes

    (Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional)

  • C. N. Gonzalez-Brambila

    (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of networks on research output and impact. The analysis was done using a database of 2150 Mexican engineers who have been members of the National System of Researchers. Results show that although there are several methods to measure centrality and structure in the social network analysis theory, not all variables show the same impact on performance. Our results suggest that the centrality measures that show a positive effect on publications and citations are degree and closeness, betweenness is only significant with publications, and eigenvector has a negative effect on publications. Related to the measures of network structure, our analysis suggests that both structural holes and density have a positive effect on research output and impact, confirming that there are networks in which closure and brokerage can benefit the performance of the members of the network.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Rodriguez Miramontes & C. N. Gonzalez-Brambila, 2016. "The effects of external collaboration on research output in engineering," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 109(2), pages 661-675, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:109:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-016-2054-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-016-2054-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Claudia N. Gonzalez Brambila & José I. Ponce & Silvia B. Gonzalez Brambila & Matias F. Milia, 2023. "Determining the Characteristics of Papers That Garner the Most Significant Impact: A Deep Dive into Mexican Engineering Publications," Publications, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Fernando Martín-Alcázar & Marta Ruiz-Martínez & Gonzalo Sánchez-Gardey, 2019. "Assessing social capital in academic research teams: a measurement instrument proposal," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(2), pages 917-935, November.
    4. Xiantong Zhao & Hongbiao Yin & Chenyang Fang & Xu Liu, 2021. "For the Sustainable Development of Universities: Exploring the External Factors Impacting Returned Early Career Academic’s Research Performance in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    5. R. Lopez-Olmedo & R. Marmolejo-Leyva & M. A. Perez-Angon & L. L. Villa-Vazquez & E. Zayago-Lau, 2017. "The role of public policies in the decentralization process of Mexican science and the formation of new researchers in institutions outside the Mexico City area," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(3), pages 1343-1366, September.
    6. João M. Santos & Hugo Horta & Huan Li, 2022. "Are the strategic research agendas of researchers in the social sciences determinants of research productivity?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(7), pages 3719-3747, July.

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