A Model for Classification and Study of Success Factors in International Collaborative Networks

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Technology Studies Institute Iran

2 Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council

3 Allame Tabatabaei University

Abstract

Collaborative networking has been considered as a key policy tool in the last decades in the field of science and technology (S&T). Therefore, S&T policymakers and managers needed to know the measures affecting the success and failure of these networks. Four S&T networks of Islamic countries — created under the supervision of Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) — are the cases of this study. Using a qualitative survey and multiple case study method, we collect relevant data through in-depth interviews with key informants, observation, and review of archived documents. In this study, 24 success factors of regional/international S&T collaborative networks are identified and categorized by developing a conceptual model. These factors are divided to two main endogenous and exogenous groups. The results reveal that besides the general success factors of all networks, there are some specific factors playing important roles in each network that need to be addressed.

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