Factors associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaboration

Abstract

There is a lack of understanding regarding the optimal conditions for interdisciplinary research. This study investigates what characteristics of researchers are associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaborations and what collaborations are most rewarding in different scientific disciplines. Our results confirm that female scientists are more engaged in interdisciplinary research collaborations. Further, a scientist's years of research experience are positively related with both types of collaboration. Work experience in firms or governmental organizations increases the propensity of interdisciplinary collaborations, but decreases that of disciplinary collaborations. Disciplinary collaborations occur more frequent in basic disciplines; interdisciplinary collaborations more in strategic disciplines. We also found that in both types of disciplines, disciplinary collaborations contribute more to career development than interdisciplinary collaborations. We conclude with three recommendations for science and innovation policy, while emphasising the need to distinguish between different scientific disciplines.

The relationship between basic and applied research in universities

“…Therefore, there is a potential risk of non-response bias in some countries. However, national samples were found broadly representative of the respective populations on strata such as gender, academic rank and institutional type (Cummings and Finkelstein 2012;RIHE 2008;Vabø and Ramberg 2009). Further, there are few reasons to expect that nonrespondents would differ substantially in terms of self-declared research orientation.…”

Systems of Career Influences: A Conceptual Model for Evaluating the Professional Development of Women in Academic Medicine

“…6,50 Research suggests, however, that women are more likely than men to participate in interdisciplinary, collaborative research. 51,52 In addition, women are more likely than men to consider perceived quality of life, earnings potential, and organizational reward; they are less likely than men to identify role models for personal-professional balance or to identify recognition as a national leader as motivating. 53 A Johns Hopkins follow-up study of women faculty who left the institution identified themes that influenced their decisions to leave.…”

From practice to collaborative community in interdisciplinary research contexts

“…This is because collaboration across knowledge domains is recognized as a source of competitive advantage (Liedtka, 1999;Scarbrough and Swan, 2008) and a response to the complex demands of the modern world (Aram, 2004;Buanes and Jentoft, 2009;Huutoniemi et al, 2010;König et al, 2013;van Rijnsoever and Hessels, 2011). Nevertheless a gap exists in our knowledge of how such collaborations are accomplished and the kinds of emergent organizational forms in which it occurs.…”