What traits of collaboration networks are associated with project success? The case of two CGIAR agricultural research programs for development

Aaron I. Plex Sulá, Valentina de Col, Berea A. Etherton, Yanru Xing, Amogh Agarwal, Lejla Ramić, Enrico Bonaiuti, Michael Friedmann, Claudio Proietti (), Graham Thiele and Karen A. Garrett
Additional contact information
Aaron I. Plex Sulá: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]
Valentina de Col: ICARDA - Centre international de recherche agricole dans les zones arides
Berea A. Etherton: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]
Yanru Xing: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]
Amogh Agarwal: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]
Lejla Ramić: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]
Enrico Bonaiuti: ICARDA - Centre international de recherche agricole dans les zones arides
Michael Friedmann: CIP - Centre international de la pomme de terre
Claudio Proietti: Cirad-Dgdrs-Dims - Cirad-Dgdrs-Direction de l'impact et du Marketing de la Science - Cirad-Dgdrs - Direction Générale Déléguée à la Recherche et à la Stratégie - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
Graham Thiele: CIP - Centre international de la pomme de terre
Karen A. Garrett: UF - University of Florida [Gainesville]

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Abstract: CONTEXT: Understanding research collaboration in diverse scientific communities is key to building global agricultural research systems that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Characterizing collaboration patterns can inform decisions to enhance the structure and dynamics of research programs. OBJECTIVE: We introduce a new analytic framework for evaluating collaborative research networks based on scientific publications, and an associated conceptual framework for the role of research networks in achieving societal goals. We analyzed two CGIAR Research Programs: Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC) and Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB). The analysis provides a multi-dimensional perspective on a set of key questions related to research team composition, research management structures, and performance of scientific publications. METHODS: We quantified network structures of research collaborations at the level of authors, institutions, countries, and management structures, including use of temporal exponential random graph models. We used regression models to understand the associations between the characteristics of authors and publications, and the corresponding citation rates and Altmetric Attention Scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified key network hubs in the collaboration networks of both CGIAR programs. The proportion of women as authors in publications was less than a third, with a low likelihood of co-authorship between women. Institutional hubs were identified by institutional categories; these were often institutions that are considered CGIAR program "participants", and a few were "planning partners". For both GLDC and RTB, the countries that were the focus of most research coincided with the program's priority countries. Most international collaborations occurred between institutions headquartered in Global South countries, but most intercontinental collaborations occurred between Global South and Global North countries. Most institution and author co-authorships occurred in only one year and rarely lasted two or three consecutive years. High diversity in the geographic affiliations of authors, along with highly collaborative teams, as opposed to simply the number of authors, consistently were associated with more citations and higher Altmetric Attention Scores. SIGNIFICANCE: These analyses reveal key structures in research collaboration networks in GLDC and RTB research programs, with potential to guide agricultural research systems for sustainable development. Considering these outcomes from past research management can help scientists, program managers, and funders increase the success of new research projects. Specifically, future research management strategies need to fortify existing scientific capacity and development through gender parity and balanced international collaborations, working toward more impactful publications and increased development relevance, while team size increases over time.

Keywords: réseau de recherche; recherche agronomique; développement agricole; innovation agricole; analyse de réseau; gestion des ressources naturelles; programme de développement; programme de recherche; Knowledge management; Network analysis; Science of science; Science mapping; Successful research networks; Web of Science; Agricultural innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-net and nep-ppm
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05182057v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in Agricultural Systems, 2024, 219, pp.104013. ⟨10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104013⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05182057

DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104013

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