Impact of interdisciplinarity on disruptive innovation: the moderating role of collaboration pattern and collaboration size

Deng Cheng, Zhang Xue (), Yang Zhibo and Zhang Mingze
Additional contact information
Deng Cheng: Xidian University
Zhang Xue: Xidian University
Yang Zhibo: Xidian University
Zhang Mingze: National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scientometrics, 2025, vol. 130, issue 4, No 15, 2379-2401

Abstract: Abstract Interdisciplinary research has become a pivotal strategy for addressing complex challenges, and understanding its relationship with disruptive innovation has garnered increasing attention. This study explores the relationship between interdisciplinarity—measured by disciplinary variety, balance, and disparity—and disruptive innovation, quantified using the disruptive index. Focusing on Earth Sciences from the Web of Science database between 2000 and 2019, we construct a logistic regression model to examine these variables. Our findings reveal that interdisciplinarity indicators generally positively influence disruptive innovation. Besides, the analysis highlights the moderating effects of collaboration patterns and collaboration size. Notably, international collaboration plays a vital role in strengthening this connection. Regarding collaboration size, medium-sized teams are more effective at balancing efficiency and diversity, thereby effectively leveraging the strengths of various disciplines to foster innovation. Additionally, large teams can maximize their innovative potential through effective management strategies that integrate diverse perspectives. The results are validated through robustness checks. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of strategically leveraging collaboration to foster interdisciplinary advancement and facilitate transformative progress.

Keywords: Interdisciplinarity; Disruptive innovation; Collaboration pattern; Collaboration size; Logistic regression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11192-025-05285-3 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:scient:v:130:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s11192-025-05285-3

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/11192

DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05285-3

Access Statistics for this article

Scientometrics is currently edited by Wolfgang Glänzel

More articles in Scientometrics from Springer, Akadémiai Kiadó
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().