IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/scient/v129y2024i10d10.1007_s11192-024-05078-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Navigating geopolitical storms: assessing the robustness of Canada’s 5G research network in the wake of the Huawei conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Anas Ramdani

    (Polytechnique Montréal)

  • Catherine Beaudry

    (Polytechnique Montréal)

  • Mario Bourgault

    (Polytechnique Montréal)

  • Davide Pulizzotto

    (Polytechnique Montréal)

Abstract

Amid geopolitical tensions over 5G technology, concerns about foreign firms like Huawei collaborating with academia have surfaced. This paper examines Huawei’s role in Canadian research, analyzing its impact on network robustness and research themes over time. Robustness in network research has been extensively explored, yet there remains a notable gap in understanding the influence of geopolitical factors and foreign corporate presence, such as Huawei’s, on these networks. The main results of this research show that: (1) The 5G network exhibits a decreasing trend in network robustness, with the potential for fragmentation increasing over time; (2) The impact of Huawei’s removal on the network’s Largest Connected Component (LCC) is relatively minor; (3) The network retains its small-world properties irrespective of Huawei’s presence, and its removal has a minor impact on knowledge transfer efficiency; (4) Huawei’s removal does not significantly affect network centralization, nor does it influence the prevailing trend observed over time; (5) Hierarchical clustering and specificity analysis identify Huawei’s strategic focus on the silicon and optical photonic domain within the 5G research; (6) The collaboration-topic network shows a high degree of robustness, suggesting that Canada’s research contributions in these areas are unaffected by the absence Huawei. This study provides a nuanced view of Huawei’s role in Canadian 5G research, suggesting that while the company is a significant player, its impact is in general neither singular nor irreplaceable within the academic network.

Suggested Citation

  • Anas Ramdani & Catherine Beaudry & Mario Bourgault & Davide Pulizzotto, 2024. "Navigating geopolitical storms: assessing the robustness of Canada’s 5G research network in the wake of the Huawei conflict," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(10), pages 6221-6259, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:129:y:2024:i:10:d:10.1007_s11192-024-05078-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-024-05078-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11192-024-05078-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11192-024-05078-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cowan, Robin & Jonard, Nicolas, 2004. "Network structure and the diffusion of knowledge," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 1557-1575, June.
    2. Ngoc-Kim-Khanh Nguyen & Quang Nguyen & Hai-Ha Pham & Thi-Trang Le & Tuan-Minh Nguyen & Davide Cassi & Francesco Scotognella & Roberto Alfieri & Michele Bellingeri & Andrea Murari, 2022. "Predicting the Robustness of Large Real-World Social Networks Using a Machine Learning Model," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2022, pages 1-16, November.
    3. Heng Chen, 2023. "A lexical network approach to second language development," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Thomas Rotolo & Scott Frickel, 2019. "When disasters strike environmental science: a case–control study of changes in scientific collaboration networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 120(1), pages 301-317, July.
    5. Wei, Na & Xie, Wen-Jie & Zhou, Wei-Xing, 2022. "Robustness of the international oil trade network under targeted attacks to economies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    6. Karsten Friis & Olav Lysne, 2021. "Huawei, 5G and Security: Technological Limitations and Political Responses," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 52(5), pages 1174-1195, September.
    7. Ashkan Ebadi & Andrea Schiffauerova, 2015. "On the Relation between the Small World Structure and Scientific Activities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-19, March.
    8. Mendonça, Sandro & Damásio, Bruno & Charlita de Freitas, Luciano & Oliveira, Luís & Cichy, Marcin & Nicita, António, 2022. "The rise of 5G technologies and systems: A quantitative analysis of knowledge production," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    9. Sergey Parinov, 2021. "Citation contexts as a data source for evaluation of scholarly consumption," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(11), pages 9249-9265, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Stephen Chen, 2009. "Corporate Responsibilities in Internet-Enabled Social Networks," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 523-536, December.
    2. Anil K. Gupta & Paul E. Tesluk & M. Susan Taylor, 2007. "Innovation At and Across Multiple Levels of Analysis," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(6), pages 885-897, December.
    3. Daniele Cassese & Paolo Pin, 2018. "Decentralized Pure Exchange Processes on Networks," Papers 1803.08836, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2022.
    4. Liming Zhao & Haihong Zhang & Wenqing Wu, 2019. "Cooperative knowledge creation in an uncertain network environment based on a dynamic knowledge supernetwork," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 119(2), pages 657-685, May.
    5. Zhu, Hongmiao & Jin, Zhen & Yan, Xin, 2023. "A dynamics model of coupling transmission for multiple different knowledge in multiplex networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 629(C).
    6. Wang, Haiying & Moore, Jack Murdoch & Wang, Jun & Small, Michael, 2021. "The distinct roles of initial transmission and retransmission in the persistence of knowledge in complex networks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 392(C).
    7. Cantner, Uwe & Graf, Holger, 2006. "The network of innovators in Jena: An application of social network analysis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 463-480, May.
    8. Dimitris Tsintsaris & Milan Tsompanoglou & Evangelos Ioannidis, 2024. "Dynamics of Social Influence and Knowledge in Networks: Sociophysics Models and Applications in Social Trading, Behavioral Finance and Business," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-27, April.
    9. Stefano Usai & Emanuela Marrocu & Raffaele Paci, 2017. "Networks, Proximities, and Interfirm Knowledge Exchanges," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 40(4), pages 377-404, July.
    10. Menger Tu & Sandy Dall'erba & Mingque Ye, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Evolution of the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Innovation Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    11. Cremonini, Marco, 2016. "Introducing serendipity in a social network model of knowledge diffusion," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 64-71.
    12. Michael D König & Stefano Battiston & Mauro Napoletano & Frank Schweitzer, 2008. "The Efficiency and Evolution of R&D Networks," Working Papers hal-00973077, HAL.
    13. Giuseppe Calignano & Rune Dahl Fitjar, 2017. "Strengthening relationships in clusters: How effective is an indirect policy measure carried out in a peripheral technology district?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 59(1), pages 139-169, July.
    14. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/f6h8764enu2lskk9p5487a6cm is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Halleck-Vega, Solmaria & Mandel, Antoine & Millock, Katrin, 2018. "Accelerating diffusion of climate-friendly technologies: A network perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 235-245.
    16. Lorenzo Zirulia, 2023. "Path dependence in evolving R&D networks," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 149-177, January.
    17. Matteo Cinelli & Giovanna Ferraro & Antonio Iovanella, 2022. "Connections matter: a proxy measure for evaluating network membership with an application to the Seventh Research Framework Programme," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(7), pages 3959-3976, July.
    18. Feldman, Maryann P. & Kogler, Dieter F., 2010. "Stylized Facts in the Geography of Innovation," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 381-410, Elsevier.
    19. Marc-Antoine Faure & Bárbara Polo Martin & Fabio Cremaschini & César Ducruet, 2024. "Shipping Trade and Geopolitical Turmoils: The Case of the Ukrainian Maritime Network," EconomiX Working Papers 2024-24, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    20. Iris Wanzenböck & Thomas Scherngell & Thomas Brenner, 2013. "What determines the position of regions in European knowledge networks? A comparative perspective on R&D collaboration, co-patent and co-publication networks," ERSA conference papers ersa13p332, European Regional Science Association.
    21. Lei Xu & Ronggui Ding & Lei Wang, 2022. "How to facilitate knowledge diffusion in collaborative innovation projects by adjusting network density and project roles," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(3), pages 1353-1379, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:129:y:2024:i:10:d:10.1007_s11192-024-05078-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.