The Impact of Long-term Scientific Mobility on the Creation of Persistent Knowledge Networks

Abstract

International scientific mobility is a strategic element in the science policies of several countries, being often equated with the development of extensive knowledge networks that can be mobilised by the scientists (and their organisations) upon their return. The objective of this paper is to understand whether and in which conditions mobility leads to the development of knowledge links that are long lasting and effectively play a key role in scientists' activities. In conceptual terms, the influence of mobility is explained through the opportunities it provides for temporary co-location in one organisation, and thus for the creation of social, cognitive and organisational proximity between scientists, which are critical for knowledge transmission and which can persist after the individuals draw apart. This conceptual framework supports an empirical analysis of the impact of two types of long term mobility -for training and professional purposes -on the creation of "persistent knowledge networks", in the case of Portuguese scientists. The results show that mobile scientists are more likely to have foreign organisations in their core knowledge network. Even more importantly, they reveal a high incidence of organisations that were part of the scientists' trajectory in these networks, providing some confirmation to the effects of colocation. However, these effects are not always present: the research also identifies some factors -related with personal characteristics, career situation, scientific field, time, geographical distance, motivations to move -that increase the likelihood of network persistence, which differ for the two types of mobility. AcknowledgmentsResearch conducted in the context of the project MOBISCIENCE: Scientists´mobility in Portugal: trajectories and knowledge circulation (PTDC/ESC/64411/2006), funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, whose support is gratefully acknowledged.2

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