Study on the Characteristics of Cross‐Domain Knowledge Diffusion from Science to Policy: Evidence from Overton Data

Abstract

The cross‐domain knowledge diffusion from science to policy is a prevalent phenomenon that demands academic attention. To investigate the characteristics of cross‐domain knowledge diffusion from science to policy, this study suggests using the citation of policies to scientific articles as a basis for quantifying the diffusion strength, breadth, and speed. The study reveals that the strength and breadth of cross‐domain knowledge diffusion from scientific papers to policies conform to a power‐law distribution, while the speed follows a logarithmic normal distribution. Moreover, the papers with the highest diffusion strength, breadth, and fastest diffusion speed are predominantly from world‐renowned universities, scholars, and top journals. The papers with the highest diffusion strength and breadth are mostly from social sciences, especially economics, those with the fastest diffusion speed are mainly from medical and life sciences, followed by social sciences. The findings indicate that cross‐domain knowledge diffusion from science to policy follows the Matthew effect, whereby individuals or institutions with high academic achievements are more likely to achieve successful cross‐domain knowledge diffusion. Furthermore, papers in the field of economics tend to have the higher cross‐domain knowledge diffusion strength and breadth, while those in medical and life sciences have the faster cross‐domain knowledge diffusion speed.