Scientific knowledge production and research collaboration between Australia and South Korea: patterns and dynamics based on co-authorship

Australia and Korea are two middle-power countries and significant R&D centers in Asia and the Pacific region, with close economic and security partnerships. This study is the first empirical research to examine the patterns and dynamics of research collaboration in Science and Technology between the two countries, using a bibliometric analysis of co-authored academic publications. The relative specialization of scientific knowledge production analyzed for each country shows that Australia and Korea take different paths in terms of their research focus and are inversely specialized. While having a complementary competence lays a good foundation in scientific cooperation, it also means they do not have a shared field of excellence and of mutual support. We also found that in areas where multilateral collaboration is more prevailing, the effect of third country participation (e.g. U.S. and China) is considerable in bringing together Australian and Korean researchers. In terms of the motives of research collaboration, personal ties turned out to be a strong force. We suggest that national level top-down policies by the governments, institutional level exchanges of researchers and students, and individual level networking opportunities may be helpful to boost and sustain research collaboration between Australia and Korea.