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The role of Chinese–American scientists in China–US scientific collaboration: a study in nanotechnology

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Abstract

In this paper, we use bibliometric methods and social network analysis to analyze the pattern of China–US scientific collaboration on individual level in nanotechnology. Results show that Chinese–American scientists have been playing an important role in China–US scientific collaboration. We find that China–US collaboration in nanotechnology mainly occurs between Chinese and Chinese–American scientists. In the co-authorship network, Chinese–American scientists tend to have higher betweenness centrality. Moreover, the series of polices implemented by the Chinese government to recruit oversea experts seems to contribute a lot to China–US scientific collaboration.

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Acknowledgments

The research is supported by the project of “Social Science Foundation of China” (Grant No. 10CZX011), the project of “Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China” (Grant No. 2009041110001), as well as the project of “Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities” (Grant No. DUT10RC(3)021).

Besides, we really appreciate the great help from two anonymous reviewers, especially one of whom offered many specific suggestions for linguistic improvements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. WISE Lab, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116085, China

    Xianwen Wang, Shenmeng Xu & Di Liu

  2. School of Public Administration and Law, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116085, China

    Xianwen Wang, Shenmeng Xu & Di Liu

  3. National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China

    Yongxia Liang

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  1. Xianwen Wang
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  2. Shenmeng Xu
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  3. Di Liu
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Correspondence to Xianwen Wang.

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Wang, X., Xu, S., Liu, D. et al. The role of Chinese–American scientists in China–US scientific collaboration: a study in nanotechnology. Scientometrics 91, 737–749 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0693-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0693-x

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