Scientific Production Convergence: An Empirical Analysis Across Nations

Countries’ scientifc systems are a key element of the knowledge economy. This paper explores the convergence pattern of the scientifc systems of a wide range of countries around the world during the period 2003–2016. Drawing on data on national scientifc production from a sample of 121 developed and developing countries, the log t test methodology has been used to detect whether there has been an overall convergence in knowledge creation among countries, if they have converged in clubs, or if there have been divergent countries. The results show the absence of overall convergence; on the contrary, the presence of fve groups of countries that converge together has been detected, showing diferentiated knowledge production growth trajectories among them. A divergent country (UK) has also been identifed. Furthermore, the paper examines the scientifc structure of these clubs and the countries that form them, identifying in which scientifc felds the scientific systems of countries have a comparative advantage/disadvantage in relation to the world average.