Diversification versus specialization in scientific research: which strategy pays off?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether multidisciplinary research yields higher value than specialized work, finding that diversification generally does not pay off at the aggregate level but may have exceptions in specific disciplines.

Contribution

It introduces an empirical analysis comparing the value of research across different fields and levels of diversification, highlighting policy implications.

Findings

Diversification does not generally increase research value.

Some disciplines show benefits from multidisciplinary research.

Implications for research incentive systems and policy design.

Abstract

The current work addresses a theme previously unexplored in the literature: that of whether the results arising from research activity in fields other than the scientist's pri-mary field have greater value than the others. Operationally, the authors proceed by identifying: the scientific production of each researcher under observation; field classifi-cation of the publications; the field containing the greatest number of the researcher's publications; attribution of value of each publication. The results show that diversifica-tion at the aggregate level does not pay off, although there are some exceptions at the level of individual disciplines. The implications at policy level are notable. Since the in-centive systems of research organizations are based on the impact of scientific output, the scientists concerned could resist engaging in multidisciplinary projects.