Which distance dimensions matter in international research collaboration? A cross-country analysis by scientific domain

Abstract

• We assessed the impact of different distances on the propensity to engage in International Research Collaborations (IRC) in 193 countries. • Distances tend to obstruct IRC, with geographical and cultural distances emerging as the strongest barriers. • Notwithstanding, excellence (intellectual) distance fosters IRC in the Medical & Health (Agricultural) Sciences. • The negative impact of socioeconomic, political, and intellectual distances on IRC increased over time. • The negative impact of geographical and cultural distances on IRC decreased over time. The relevance of international research collaboration (IRC) in bolstering intellectual capital, increasing embeddedness in networks, and promoting innovation has been acknowledged by scientists and policymakers. However, large–scale studies involving different scientific domains and periods aimed at exploring the factors that influence IRC are missing, which could deepen our understanding of the factors affecting IRC. Based on a novel dataset of 193 countries over three periods, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 and 2010–2018, we have examined the impact of geographical, socioeconomic, political, cultural, intellectual, and excellence distances on the propensity to engage in IRC at the global level, by scientific domain and over time. In general, all the distances considered obstruct IRC, with geographical and cultural distance emerging as the barriers with the highest impact. Two exceptions are worthwhile noting: excellence distance fosters IRC in the Medical & Health Sciences (MHS) and intellectual distance fosters IRC in the Agricultural Sciences (AS). At the global level, the negative impact of socioeconomic, political, and intellectual distances on IRC has increased over time, whereas the negative impact of geographical and cultural distances has decreased.