A Methodology for Developing Scientific Diversification Strategy of Countries Publisher



Janavi E¹ ; Mansourzadeh MJ² ; Samandar Ali Eshtehardi M³
Source: Scientometrics Published:2020

Abstract

Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the scientific system is a concern of scientific policymakers in each country. This research aimed to present a methodology to detect the strong and weak points of science in various countries by adopting the method of economic complexity. Subsequently, the formulation mode of scientific diversification strategies of different countries is introduced using the complexity approach. In this method, first the scientific diversity of each country and the ubiquity of scientific domains are calculated, and the fitness of the countries and the scientific complexity of the domains are accordingly estimated. Subsequently, the scientific domains creating the highest level of complexity, the least distance from the country and the most opportunity gain for that country are introduced as scientific productivity and strategy border of the country to diversify the scientific system of the country. Moreover, the strengths and weaknesses as well as diversification strategies of the Iranian scientific system have been presented as a case study. The findings showed that the scientific domains that emerge as the efficiency frontier of scientific capabilities can be used by countries’ policymakers for scientific diversification. © 2020, Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, Hungary.