Research collaboration and productivity: is there correlation?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the correlation between extramural research collaboration and scientific productivity within the Italian academic system, using bibliometric analysis of co-authored publications to evaluate policy impacts.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the relationship between collaboration intensity and research performance at the institutional level in Italy.

Findings

Positive correlation between collaboration and productivity observed.

International and private sector collaborations both linked to higher output.

Supports policies promoting extramural collaboration for research enhancement.

Abstract

The incidence of extramural collaboration in academic research activities is increasing as a result of various factors. These factors include policy measures aimed at fostering partnership and networking among the various components of the research system, policies which are in turn justified by the idea that knowledge sharing could increase the effectiveness of the system. Over the last two decades, the scientific community has also stepped up activities to assess the actual impact of collaboration intensity on the performance of research systems. This study draws on a number of empirical analyses, with the intention of measuring the effects of extramural collaboration on research performance and, indirectly, verifying the legitimacy of policies that support this type of collaboration. The analysis focuses on the Italian academic research system. The aim of the work is to assess the level of correlation, at institutional level, between scientific productivity and collaboration intensity as a whole, both internationally and with private organizations. This will be carried out using a bibliometric type of approach, which equates collaboration with the co-authorship of scientific publications.