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Global excellence at the expense of local diffusion, or a bridge between two worlds? Research in science and technology in the developing world

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  • Barnard, H.
  • Cowan, R.
  • Müller, M.

Abstract

Do world-leading researchers from developing countries contribute to upgrading locally, or do they disengage from the local context? The paper investigates the scientific collaborations of university-based science and technology researchers in the database of the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), and analyses the co-authorships of researchers who were ranked by the NRF during the 2001–2007 period. To establish the extent to which a researcher can access knowledge outside the South African academic science and technology research community, and share it inside that community, we develop a measure of ‘gatekeeping’. The evidence suggests that there is not a local/global trade-off in knowledge creation in academia in the developing world, and that the world-leading researchers in developing countries may play an especially important role as conduits of new knowledge in their country.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnard, H. & Cowan, R. & Müller, M., 2012. "Global excellence at the expense of local diffusion, or a bridge between two worlds? Research in science and technology in the developing world," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 756-769.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:41:y:2012:i:4:p:756-769
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2011.12.002
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    3. Fassio, Claudio & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2019. "International knowledge flows between industry inventors and universities: The role of multinational companies," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201917, University of Turin.
    4. Qiu, Shumin & Liu, Xielin & Gao, Taishan, 2017. "Do emerging countries prefer local knowledge or distant knowledge? Spillover effect of university collaborations on local firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(7), pages 1299-1311.
    5. Robin Cowan & Giulia Rossello, 2018. "Emergent structures in faculty hiring networks, and the effects of mobility on academic performance," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 117(1), pages 527-562, October.
    6. Müller, Moritz & Cowan, Robin & Barnard, Helena, 2018. "On the value of foreign PhDs in the developing world: Training versus selection effects in the case of South Africa," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(5), pages 886-900.
    7. Radhamany Sooryamoorthy, 2019. "Scientific knowledge in South Africa: information trends, patterns and collaboration," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 119(3), pages 1365-1386, June.
    8. Zhenhua Yang (Alamo) & Yanmei Xu, 2021. "The Role of Collaboration Breadth Attributes in Research Project and Innovation: The Example of National Funded Projects in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, January.
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    10. Confraria, Hugo & Wang, Lili, 2020. "Medical research versus disease burden in Africa," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).

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