Changing Ties in a Far-Flung, Multidisciplinary Research Network: The Case of GRAND. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dimitrova, Dimitrina; Mok, Diana; Wellman, Barry
• Other Names: Dimitrova Dimitrina guest-editor.; Wellman Barry guest-editor.; Hayat Tsahi (Zack) guest-editor.; Mo Guang Ying guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: American behavioral scientist. Volume 59:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 599
• Page End: 616
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: research network -- networked work -- networked change -- Canada -- advice -- collaboration -- multidisciplinary research -- distributed work -- knowledge transfer -- communities of practice; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/0002764214556803
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7642

Abstract

We study a multidisciplinary, geographically dispersed, and multi-institutional research network that shows the complex relationships in collaborative research. Although collaborative work ties declined, the number of friendship and advice ties stayed stable and acquaintanceship ties grew. Most researchers seem satisfied with the network and relish the opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchanges. The benefits of the network do not lie in the traditional academic output of publications and artifacts, but in intellectual exchanges, knowledge transfer, fostering long-term ties within and across disciplines and universities, and the development of a collaborative culture.