International Scientific Cooperation Networks of Top Universities in the CEE Region

International Scientific Cooperation Networks of Top Universities in the CEE Region

Contents

Title

International Scientific Cooperation Networks of Top Universities in the CEE Region

Author

Andrea Magda NAGY

Classification JEL

I23, F15, C45, D85.

Abstract

Competitiveness of higher education institutions depends highly on the ability of universities to interact with the national and international scientific community. Publishing with researchers from other countries can greatly improve the scientific and economic performance of universities and can increase international visibility. This is the reason why building international collaboration links with other countries’ research and higher education institutions has become priority for most universities, colleges. International publication links of the top universities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), although showing a growing trend, are still lagging behind Western European or North American higher education institutions. The aim of this research is to identify the main characteristics of the international publication network of the top universities of Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. The study focuses solely on international publication links. Data were retrieved from the Scopus database. Higher education institutions were chosen using the QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia University Rankings (2018). A map containing publication links for the best universities in Central and Eastern Europe can be drawn using network theory tools. Higher education institutions in the CEE region prefer Western European or North American research partners than build publication links with scientists from neighbouring countries. A higher number of publication links can indicate a deeper integration in the international scientific community. Decision makers should support the formation of international scientific cooperations, as these can not only improve the institutions’ economic and scientific performance, but can also enhance international visibility and attract national and international students.

Keywords

higher education, publication networks, CEE countries.

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