Complexity-based quality indicators for human and social capital in science and research: the case of Serbian Homeland versus Diaspora

Abstract

We developed quality indicators model for measuring human and social capital in the scientific and research communities, grounded in the complexity science. The model was implemented in two phases: in the first, we gathered initial data through the questionnaire designed for scientists and researchers; in the second, we fully analyzed all the respondents, according to the model—this included analysis of their CVs, with wider research of their data in all publicly available sources. The research sample included 444 PhD holders, 202 in Homeland and 242 in Diaspora, all of them being of Serbian origin. Among the most significant findings are the facts that Serbian PhDs from its Diaspora, compared with those living in the Homeland, published 4 times more papers, 6 times more in journals with IF; were cited 15 times more, in 14 times more documents; had 13 times higher value of overall IF; had both 5 times higher ResearchGate scores and the h-index values. In achieving all these, they perceived their work in science and research in more entrepreneurial manner and used collaboration strategies: on average, they had 4 times more co-authors than PhDs in the Homeland. On the other hand, PhDs working and living in the Homeland (Serbia) demonstrated higher devotion to the interests of wider communities they belonged to, considered succession planning as more important, and generally felt more afraid of risks that current trends of our civilization, especially regarding the lack of sustainable management, may lead our entire humanity to some form of collapse.