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Knowledge substitutability and complementarity in scientific collaboration

Author

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  • Lin, Kexin
  • Hu, Beibei
  • Li, Zixun
  • Bu, Yi
  • Dong, Xianlei

Abstract

Understanding the substitutability and complementarity in scientific collaboration is of great significance to reduce the costs of team building and enhance the team's research performance. In this paper, knowledge substitutability in scientific collaboration characterizes similar properties shared during the (re)combination process, and knowledge complementarity describes the synergistic effect created by different knowledge combinations. This paper aims to explore the influence of knowledge substitutability and complementarity on research performance based on the American Physical Society dataset. Overall, we find that knowledge substitutability negatively influences scientists’ research performance, while knowledge complementarity has a positive effect. However, the analysis reveals that the positive correlation between knowledge complementarity and research performance only exists for scientists with small-sized teams, while scientists with large-sized teams are not significantly influenced by the complementarity. This paper provides a new perspective and practical insights into team formation and management.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Kexin & Hu, Beibei & Li, Zixun & Bu, Yi & Dong, Xianlei, 2025. "Knowledge substitutability and complementarity in scientific collaboration," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 19(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:19:y:2025:i:1:s1751157724001135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2024.101601
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