The taxonomy of research collaboration in science and technology: evidence from mechanical research through probabilistic clustering analysis

Abstract

This paper suggests an empirical framework to classify research collaboration activities with developed indicators that carry on a previous theoretical framework (Wagner [Science and Technology Policy for Development, Dialogues at the Interface, 2006]; Wagner et al. [Linking effectively: Learning lessons from successful collaboration in science and technology. DB-345-OSTP, 2002]) by employing the Gaussian mixture model, an advanced probabilistic clustering analysis. By further exploring the method upon a profound evidence-based reflection of actual phenomena, this paper also proposes an exploratory analysis to manage and evaluate research projects upon their differentiated classification in a preceding perspective of research collaboration and RD management. In addition, the results show that international collaboration tends to be associated with more evenly committed collaboration, and that collaboration featuring a higher degree of funding or dispersed commitments generally results in larger outcomes than research clustered on the opposite side of the framework.