Using the weighted Lorenz curve to represent balance in collaborations: the BIC indicator

Abstract

This article aims to add to the body of indicators used to study collaboration in science. We propose a new indicator to measure balance in collaboration (BIC) which is based on the Gini evenness index for a weighted Lorenz curve. The new indicator of balance builds upon and extends the use of, our previously introduced indicator of relative intensity of collaboration (RIC). We present examples based on the collaboration network between the twenty largest countries contributing to science during 2000–2020.