Interdisciplinary collaboration in research networks: Empirical analysis of energy-related research in Greece

Abstract: Technological innovation is intimately related to knowledge creation and recombination. In this work we introduce a combined statistical and network-based approach to study collaboration in scientific authorship. We apply it to characterize recent research efforts in renewable energy technology and its intersections with the domains of nanoscience and nanotechnology with focus on materials, and electrical engineering and computer science in Greece and its broader European and international environment as a case study. Using our methods we attempt to illuminate the processes which underlie knowledge creation and diversification in these research networks: a (positive) relationship between expenditure on research and development and the extent and diversity of team-based research at the intersections of the three domains is established. Our specific findings collectively provide insights into the collaboration structure and evolution of energy-related research activity in Greece, while our methodology can be used for evidence-based design, monitoring, and evaluation of interdisciplinary research programs.