Can high-interest similarity really promote the efficiency of technological collaboration? — an analysis of time and space dimensions

Abstract

ABSTRACT To explore the functional mechanism of interest similarity in collaboration efficiency, this paper focuses on the process of technological collaboration from time and space dimensions. Specifically, I established a two-dimension model, from which the collaboration process was divided into initial and mature stages, considering time angle and was divided into intra-regional and trans-regional collaborations, considering the spatial angle. Collecting data from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the results indicate that when technicians are in the same region, the more similar their interests, the higher their collaboration efficiency. When technicians carry out trans-regional collaboration, interest similarity has a U-shaped effect on collaboration efficiency in the initial stage of collaboration. Collaboration efficiency decreases due to the distrust of similar content distribution, and with the continuous consolidation of collaboration relationships, collaboration efficiency improves. In the mature stage, interest similarity affects collaboration efficiency positively. The findings provide suggestions for technicians to choose appropriate partners.