Does network position foster knowledge production? Evidence from international scientific collaboration network

Abstract

There is consensus among scholars that social networks are important mechanisms of knowledge spillovers. By occupying a central and advantageous network position in the collaboration network, it is easy for actors to access intangible external resources. However, empirical studies of the impact of network structure on knowledge production remain scarce. Based on copublication data from the Web of Science database (WoS) from 2000 to 2015, we construct eleven international scientific collaboration networks and empirically estimate the impacts of multiple network properties, comprehensively measured by degree centrality, structure holes, and small-world quotient, on national knowledge output. Empirical results based on fixed effect negative binomial models suggest positive effects of the three facets of network properties, that is, higher degree centrality, structural holes, and small-world quotient are beneficial for facilitating and improving national knowledge production, which in turn encourages international academic collaboration.