Identifying Affiliation Effects on Innovation Enhancement

Abstract

Analysis of bibliographic information provides important evidence for identifying scientific innovation and future technological developments. The efficient operation of a research organization requires management of factors that enhance the future publishing of scientists' results. However, existing methodologies such as the use of the Times Higher Education University Rankings does not distinguish the reputation of affiliation from that of its members. Therefore, superior scientists do not perform well because of inferior research environments: so-called Brain Graveyards. As described herein, we propose the Research Productivity Enhancement (RPE) index to quantify affiliation effects on scientists' performance by tracking their scientific publications along with their movements among affiliations. Results show that scientists moving to state-of-the-art institutions do not always achieve enhanced productivity. Rather, some of them collect talented authors. Divided by nationality, many Chinese affiliations show high RPE. Conversely, Japan and Korea give less of a contribution to scientists' productivity. This analysis elucidates scientists' incentives and suggests means by which research organizations can enhance scientific innovation.