An analysis of the impact of European policies on international collaboration in scientific investigation in Portugal and in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Various bibliometric studies have recently highlighted the increase in international collaboration for scientific investigation. Various factors have been identified as contributors to this trend, and among these are institutional measures specifically defined to have this aim. This is particularly the case with the European Union's framework programmes for research and technological development. These require that each proposal be jointly presented by investigators of at least two member states. In this institutional framework a bibliometric study was done of scientific production in the periods from 1981 to 1991 (United Kingdom), and from 1980 to 1993 (Portugal). It analysed possible alterations in collaboration practices resulting from the implementation of European programmes. The results show that this impact is visible in the British case, especially in areas of study that are particularly supported by European programmes (life sciences and applied sciences). However, the same is not true in Portugal, where no clear impact of the European policies on international collaboration trends is evident. These results call into question the efficiency of these policies in developing links between all the participants, particularly those with the less favoured regions. Nevertheless, it is clear that a «European scientific community» is emerging.