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Life cycles of research groups: the case of CWTS

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  • Robert Braam
  • Peter van den Besselaar

Abstract

By combining concepts from scientometrics and organisation studies, we hypothesise a basic ‘life cycle’ of organisational research units (institutes, laboratories or groups), if internal and external conditions are stable. Three output indicators enable a comparison of historical patterns with the lifecycle pattern, to reveal basic dynamics and changing conditions. We tested the model for a specific case: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University. The ‘standard’ life cycle was found from the start of CWTS in the early 1980s until the beginning of this century. Then, a boost of activities indicates the start of a second life cycle, explained by increased demand for performance studies and increased ability of CWTS to deliver standardised products. Recent changes in funding and key membership are expected to start a third cycle with reorientation of CWTS's activity profile. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Braam & Peter van den Besselaar, 2010. "Life cycles of research groups: the case of CWTS," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 19(3), pages 173-184, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rseval:v:19:y:2010:i:3:p:173-184
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.3152/095820210X503465
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    Cited by:

    1. Benedetto Lepori & Michael Wise & Diana Ingenhoff & Alexander Buhmann, 2016. "The dynamics of university units as a multi‐level process. Credibility cycles and resource dependencies," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 109(3), pages 2279-2301, December.
    2. Robert Braam & Peter Besselaar, 2014. "Indicators for the dynamics of research organizations: a biomedical case study," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 99(3), pages 949-971, June.
    3. Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez & Anuska Ferligoj & Sandra Miguel & Luka Kronegger & Félix Moya-Anegón, 2012. "Blockmodeling of co-authorship networks in library and information science in Argentina: a case study," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 93(3), pages 699-717, December.
    4. Edwin Horlings & Thomas Gurney, 2013. "Search strategies along the academic lifecycle," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 94(3), pages 1137-1160, March.
    5. Olmos-Peñuela, Julia & Castro-Martínez, Elena & D’Este, Pablo, 2014. "Knowledge transfer activities in social sciences and humanities: Explaining the interactions of research groups with non-academic agents," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 696-706.
    6. Maaike Verbree & Edwin Horlings & Peter Groenewegen & Inge Weijden & Peter Besselaar, 2015. "Organizational factors influencing scholarly performance: a multivariate study of biomedical research groups," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(1), pages 25-49, January.

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