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

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

Authors :
Plex Sulá, Aaron I.
De Col, Valentina
Etherton, Berea A.
Xing, Yanru
Agarwal, Amogh
Ramić, Lejla
Bonaiuti, Enrico
Friedmann, Michael
Proietti, Claudio
Thiele, Graham
Garrett, Karen A.
Source :
Agricultural Systems. Aug2024, Vol. 219, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. [Display omitted] • The structure and impact of collaboration networks in agriculture for development are key to research success. • We apply a new framework for evaluating the success of collaboration networks to two global research programs of the CGIAR. • Publications had strong international and institutional collaboration but less than a third of authors were women. • Publication traits such as geographically diverse author affiliations were associated with more citations. • These findings about scientific capacities and gaps support steps to research success in agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0308521X
Volume :
219
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Agricultural Systems
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178463930
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104013