How does size matter for science? Exploring the effects of research unit size on academics' scientific productivity and information exchange behaviors

[Eugene Garfield]

How does size matter for science? Exploring the effects of research unit size on 
academics' scientific productivity and information exchange behaviors

Author(s): Horta, H (Horta, Hugo); Lacy, TA (Lacy, T. Austin)
Source: SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY  Volume: 38  Issue: 6  Special Issue: SI  
Pages: 449-462  DOI: 10.3152/030234211X12960315267813  Published: JUL 
2011  

Abstract: This article analyzes the impact of research unit size on academics' 
scientific output and communication behavior with peers, controlling for 
individual and organizational characteristics, including the academics' 
engagement in teaching. Results show that research unit size does not 
influence total scientific output, but rather the scientific output profile of 
individual academics. Upon disaggregating the output we find that academics 
at larger research units publish more in international than in national peer-
reviewed journals. This suggests that research unit size positively affects 
international visibility, a venue that may proxy for research quality. The 
analysis also shows that as research unit size increases, it influences 
academics' overall communication. Most importantly, the academics' information 
exchange with peers at both national and international levels is highest at 
larger research units, suggesting that research unit size facilitates contact with 
academics at both national and international institutions.

Language: English
Document Type: Article
KeyWords Plus: RESEARCH PERFORMANCE; PUBLICATION-RATE; RESEARCH 
OUTPUT; UNIVERSITY; DEPARTMENTS; IMPACT; COLLABORATIONS; 
DETERMINANTS; TEAMS

Addresses: [Horta, H] Univ Tecn Lisbon, IST, Ctr Estudos Inovacao Tecnol & 
Polit Desenvolvimen, IN, Lisbon, Portugal
[Lacy, TA] Univ Georgia, Inst Higher Educ, Athens, GA 30602 USA
Reprint Address:

E-mail Address: hugo.horta at dem.ist.utl.pt, tlacy at uga.edu
ISSN: 0302-3427
URL: 
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/beech/spp/2011/00000038/00000006
/art00004