Unveiling the texture of a European Research Area: emergence of oligarchic networks under EU Framework Programmes

Abstract

The paper provides a contribution to the recent debate about targets and effectiveness of network policies at the EU level, by presenting a detailed analysis of the large R&D network that has emerged over Framework Programmes. Social network analysis and graph theory are employed to describe structural properties and dynamics of the emerging network, which appears to be rather dense and pervasive, branching around a large "oligarchic core", whose centrality and connectivity strengthened over programmes. The paper discusses the degree to which this network structure may respond to EU broad policy objectives of competitiveness and cohesion and its implications for recent programmes aimed at shaping a European Research Area. In particular, attention is placed on the late focus by European institutions on networking centres of excellence. Since future initiatives are to build on the existing fabric of science and technology in Europe, we argue that understanding how networks formed and evolved following previous stimuli is of great relevance for implementing and assessing the impact of the newly defined network approach.

Networked by design: Can policy requirements influence organisations' networking behaviour?

“…These findings could suggest the presence of a core of leading actors that often collaborated across the different policy waves, surrounded by a number of very active organisations who continued to start new networks. This structure would be consistent with the oligarchic network identified by Breschi and Cusmano (2004) in the case of the EU Framework Programmes. Finally, universities, innovation centres, local governments, associations, business service providers and other public agencies on average participated in more heterogeneous networks.…”

“…Policymakers facilitate the emergence of a network of innovative networks EU framework programmes (Breschi and Cusmano, 2004); Regional innovation programmes in Italy (Tuscany) (Russo and Rossi, 2009;Bellandi and Caloffi, 2010) The immediate effect of these requirements is to encourage organisations wishing to benefit from public funds to set up networks that meet such requirements. However, policymakers often have more complex goals in mind, for example they might wish to encourage organisations to persistently adopt collaborative behaviours that are potentially conductive to innovation 2 .…”

Social Network Analysis as a Tool to Evaluate the Effectiveness of EC Funded Networks of Excellence: The Case of DEMO-net

“…With the passage of even more time we might also expect that networks concerned with research output (eg Q3: published research; Q4: acknowledgements) will become more dense as research is completed and joint papers reach the publication stage. However, if, as Breschi and Cusmano [5] suggest, DEMO-net develops an oligarchic core then such connectivity is less likely to occur and we will instead see greater research output (as evidenced through project collaboration and publications) and connectivity (indegree/outdegree in areas such as seeking/providing information) developing amongst core players with little strengthening of such activity at the periphery.…”

“…Malerba, Vonortas, Breschi and Cassi [11] use SNA as an analytic tool to argue that FP6 "IST-RTD [Information Society Research and Technological Development] Programmes have a positive role in attracting key actors, in creating and increasing network connectivity, and in generating and diffusing new knowledge". However, prior to the emergence of NoEs Breshi and Cusmano [5] used SNA to explore the problem of what they call 'oligarchic cores' in EC research projects, where the power base is held by a few strong players. They offer cautionary observations about the potential for these to exist in NoEs at the expense of the development of connectivity and involvement of peripheral players.…”

Do networking centres perform better? An exploratory analysis in Psychiatry and Gastroenterology/Hepatology in Spain

“…Through this practice, researchers have the opportunity to work together in a common framework, to complement their scientific capabilities and to approach topics from different contexts. Breschi & Cusmano (2004) state that crucial "nodes" and networking research are increasingly fostered by the European Union funding programmes, with a special interest in the stimulation of high quality actors. It is believed that these "networks of excellence" will serve to overcome the fragmentation of the research system and will be able to reinforce the status in specific areas, considering that those centres of excellence already exist, but they are scattered and only loosely connected.…”