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The Structure and Dynamic of Scientific Collaboration Network among Countries along the Belt and Road

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  • Qinchang Gui

    (Institute for global Innovation and Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
    School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Chengliang Liu

    (Institute for global Innovation and Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
    School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

  • DeBin Du

    (Institute for global Innovation and Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
    School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

Abstract

Although a number of studies have discussed the economic, geopolitical and environmental impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), there is a scarcity of analysis on the importance of science in the Belt and Road (B&R). Adopting bibliographical data from Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science database for the period 2000–2018, this study investigates the network properties, topological structure, spatial pattern, position of countries, core-periphery sets, and the hierarchy of the network from a dynamic perspective. The results show that scientific collaboration is increasingly frequent. The “hub-and-spoke” and triangulated structures coexist, shaping the landscape of the network. With the decline of Central and Eastern Europe, and the rise of the Asia-Pacific region, the spatial pattern evolves from ‘‘strong Western and weak Eastern” to ‘‘weak Western and strong Eastern’’. The central position has been occupied by India, China, and Turkey, while Russia’s influence has lessened over time. Moreover, the collaboration network is a typical core–periphery structure with prominent hierarchical features. China, Poland, and Saudi Arabia are the top-tier coordination centers within sub-networks. Finally, this study provides policy recommendations and prospective research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Qinchang Gui & Chengliang Liu & DeBin Du, 2019. "The Structure and Dynamic of Scientific Collaboration Network among Countries along the Belt and Road," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5187-:d:269564
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    2. Izaskun Alvarez-Meaza & Enara Zarrabeitia-Bilbao & Rosa Maria Rio-Belver & Gaizka Garechana-Anacabe, 2020. "Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles: Plotting a Scientific and Technological Knowledge Map," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Mingchun Cao & Ilan Alon, 2020. "Intellectual Structure of the Belt and Road Initiative Research: A Scientometric Analysis and Suggestions for a Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-40, August.
    4. Yuan Chang & Xinguo Ming & Xianyu Zhang & Tongtong Zhou & Xiaoqiang Liao & Sijia Cao, 2021. "Servitization and Sustainable Value Creation Strategy for China’s Manufacturing Industry: A Multiple Case Study in the Belt and Road Initiative," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-28, October.
    5. Lu Huang & Xiang Chen & Yi Zhang & Yihe Zhu & Suyi Li & Xingxing Ni, 2021. "Dynamic network analytics for recommending scientific collaborators," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(11), pages 8789-8814, November.
    6. Wentian Shi & Wenlong Yang & Debin Du, 2020. "The Scientific Cooperation Network of Chinese Scientists and Its Proximity Mechanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Cui Zhang & Xiongjin Feng & Yanzhen Wang, 2022. "Technology Spillovers among Innovation Agents from the Perspective of Network Connectedness," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(16), pages 1-17, August.

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