Abstract

 
 
 This study was aimed at providing evidence of the effects of collaboration among unequal partners on their research priorities. Co-authorship patterns were investigated among South African authors publishing with authors of other countries in the region, with and without other non-African co-authors. It was identified that the non-African collaborators have a high impact on the quantity of co-authored publications and on the research disciplines in which co-authored research is undertaken. The findings raise a number of policy questions.
 
 
 
 
 Significance: 
 
 
 
 The findings make profound that African countries should prioritise and engage their limited resources in areas of national priorities.
 
 
 
Highlights
Research collaboration is on an ascending path and receives particular attention from governments and researchers internationally.[1]
This study aimed to identify whether international collaborators influence the size and research disciplines in the South African–Southern African Development Community (SADC) collaboration
Using the field tag ‘country’ we identified the SADC countries collaborating with South Africa
Summary
Research collaboration is on an ascending path and receives particular attention from governments and researchers internationally.[1] Researchers investigate the modes, effects and motives of collaborating researchers, while governments attempt to utilise research collaboration as an instrument for technology transfer from universities and science councils to industry (intra-collaboration); for know-how transfer from abroad (inter-collaboration); and as a means of improving diplomatic relations with other governments by creating goodwill and political capital[2]; among other reasons. The literature identifies that researchers collaborate with each other for a number of reasons. Reasons for collaboration include improving their visibility and recognition[3], utilising expensive equipment and facilities which are not under their control[4]; and acquiring expertise and new ideas needed for their research[5]. In the domain of policy, research collaboration has become an important component of science, technology and innovation internationally and substantial resources are allocated by governments (e.g. South Africa, the European Commission and the USA) for this objective
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