Title:
Convergence in science: Growth and structure of worldwide scientific output, 1993-2008

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dc.contributor.author Horlings, Edwin en_US
dc.contributor.author Van den Besselaar, Peter en_US
dc.contributor.corporatename Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam. Dept. of Organisation Science en_US
dc.contributor.corporatename Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam. Network Institute en_US
dc.contributor.corporatename Rathenau Instituut. Science System Assessment en_US
dc.date.accessioned 2012-02-10T20:07:17Z
dc.date.available 2012-02-10T20:07:17Z
dc.date.issued 2011-09-17
dc.description Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy 2011 en_US
dc.description This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. ©2011 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE. en_US
dc.description.abstract We examine if the globalisation of science is accompanied by convergence in the level and structure of scientific output. We use Web of Science data on the scientific output of 205 countries for 1993, 2000, and 2008, distinguished by subject area. We found evidence of absolute and conditional -convergence and -convergence in levels of scientific output, particularly after 2000. The data also show that the portfolios of the majority of the world s science systems are becoming more similar. This convergence of portfolios occurs in convergence clubs rather than as a global process. Exploratory factor analysis shows that countries cluster into eight discrete convergence clubs and perhaps only two: the haves and have-nots . Dynamic shift-share analysis reveals that growth is a normal phenomenon, output composition is only really an issue in the former Soviet Republics (negative) and the LDCs (positive) after 2000, and comparative advantages is where convergence clubs differentiate strongest. The ability of countries to improve local conditions and escape the strictures of their portfolio depends on the interplay of forces along two dimensions. between short-term dynamics and long-term stability and between the complexity of science and the predominance of national policies and institutions. Understanding the design and functioning of a science system in all its complexity is crucial to survive in a world of different speeds with intense competition and persistent gaps between rich and poor. For scientists and policy makers alike, selecting the right science portfolio and knowing the competition are key issues. en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/1853/42516
dc.publisher Georgia Institute of Technology en_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries ACSIP11. Policy Environment en_US
dc.subject Convergence en_US
dc.subject Science globalization en_US
dc.subject Specialization en_US
dc.subject Comparative advantage en_US
dc.title Convergence in science: Growth and structure of worldwide scientific output, 1993-2008 en_US
dc.type Text
dc.type.genre Proceedings
dspace.entity.type Publication
local.contributor.corporatename Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
local.contributor.corporatename School of Public Policy
local.relation.ispartofseries Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy
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relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication a3789037-aec2-41bb-9888-1a95104b7f8c
relation.isSeriesOfPublication 8e93dc09-10dd-4fdd-8c5a-77defb1f7f78
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