Efficiency Analysis of International Research Collaboration: A DEA Approach on Indonesian University Research Partner Countries

Abstract

This research was carried out to analyse the efficiency on University International Research Collaboration (IRC) and examines disciplines that are popular areas for collaboration. Based on data for the years 2015–2021, an empirical study was conducted to determine how to implement Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in 56 research partner countries in Indonesia among selected Universities. A total of two inputs and four different outputs were defined for this assessment. Only three international partners have an efficiency score of 1, except for the fact that only one IRC has a lower efficiency score than Decision Making Units (DMU), that do not have an IRC. The Social sciences, health and medicine, and food and agriculture receive the majority of government funding for the IRCs. The originality of this study lies in from the quantitative methology typically used in efficiency analysis, but its use to evaluate research collaboration, particularly on global levels, adds a unique dimension to the study. In addition, the geographical focus on higher education in Indonesia provides a fresh perspective, as does the thematic investigation related to the identification of popular collaborative disciplines. The importance of efficiency metrics in assessing the effectiveness of research collaborations is emphasised in this discussion. There is need for closer collaboration with academics from these partner countries as evidenced by the limited presence of Indonesian academics in a number of sectors. In addition, the study offers recommendations for maximising resources and promoting more productive methods of collaboration in order to increase the output and significance of research.