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An analysis of international mobility and research productivity in computer science

Author

Listed:
  • Irene Finocchi

    (Luiss Guido Carli University)

  • Andrea Ribichini

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Marco Schaerf

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

In this article, we study the international mobility of researchers in the field of computer science (CS). Our analysis hinges upon Scopus data spanning a time period of 30 years (1991–2020) and involves a total of 969,835 researchers and 8,412,543 publications. Our contribution is two-fold. First, we characterize mobility as a fairly common phenomenon in CS, we highlight a strong correlation with standard bibliometric indicators at all seniority levels and a lower propensity of female researchers to relocate internationally than their male colleagues. Second, we analyze individual career paths building from them a mobility graph and identifying common patterns, such as the most traveled connections between different countries, whether they are equally traversed in both directions and the most frequently visited countries. The temporal evolution of the above patterns within our 30-year time frame is also investigated. The United States emerged as a preferred destination for internationally mobile authors, with strong connections to China (from the early 2000s), Canada, and several prominent European countries, most notably the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

Suggested Citation

  • Irene Finocchi & Andrea Ribichini & Marco Schaerf, 2023. "An analysis of international mobility and research productivity in computer science," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(11), pages 6147-6175, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:128:y:2023:i:11:d:10.1007_s11192-023-04837-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-023-04837-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Camil Demetrescu & Irene Finocchi & Andrea Ribichini & Marco Schaerf, 2020. "On bibliometrics in academic promotions: a case study in computer science and engineering in Italy," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(3), pages 2207-2228, September.
    2. Pierre Dubois & Jean-Charles Rochet & Jean-Marc Schlenker, 2014. "Productivity and mobility in academic research: evidence from mathematicians," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(3), pages 1669-1701, March.
    3. Adelien Decramer & Stijn Goeminne & Carine Smolders, 2013. "The impact of internationalization on volume and quality of scholarly publication performance," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(2), pages 111-117, March.
    4. Gibson, John & McKenzie, David, 2014. "Scientific mobility and knowledge networks in high emigration countries: Evidence from the Pacific," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(9), pages 1486-1495.
    5. Demetrescu, Camil & Lupia, Francesco & Mendicelli, Angelo & Ribichini, Andrea & Scarcello, Francesco & Schaerf, Marco, 2019. "On the Shapley value and its application to the Italian VQR research assessment exercise," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 87-104.
    6. Pedro Albarrán & Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2017. "Geographic mobility and research productivity in a selection of top world economics departments," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 241-265, April.
    7. Glenn D. Walters, 2011. "The citation life cycle of articles published in 13 American Psychological Association journals: A 25-year longitudinal analysis," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(8), pages 1629-1636, August.
    8. Camil Demetrescu & Irene Finocchi & Andrea Ribichini & Marco Schaerf, 2022. "On computer science research and its temporal evolution," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(8), pages 4913-4938, August.
    9. Franceschini, Fiorenzo & Maisano, Domenico, 2017. "Critical remarks on the Italian research assessment exercise VQR 2011–2014," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 337-357.
    10. Glenn D. Walters, 2011. "The citation life cycle of articles published in 13 American Psychological Association journals: A 25‐year longitudinal analysis," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(8), pages 1629-1636, August.
    11. Camil Demetrescu & Andrea Ribichini & Marco Schaerf, 2020. "Are Italian research assessment exercises size-biased?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(1), pages 533-549, October.
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    13. Koen Jonkers & Robert Tijssen, 2008. "Chinese researchers returning home: Impacts of international mobility on research collaboration and scientific productivity," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 77(2), pages 309-333, November.
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