The geography of the knowledge dynamics in genomics‏

Abstract

This research aims to come to an understanding of the knowledge dynamics of the relatively ‘new’ scientific discipline: genomics. Hereby this research makes use of a recent developed approach by Bonaccorsi (2004; 2007; 2008) which is known as ‘search regime’. A search regime consists of three properties, ‘rate of growth’, ‘diversity’ and ‘type of complementarity’ which are used to explain the knowledge dynamics of sciences. One of the main propositions made in this research is that the characteristic of a specific search regime applicable to genomics can help to explain the geographical dynamic networks in the field of genomics. In addition to previous research, this study also examines the socio-economic influences on the knowledge dynamics of genomics since this is playing an increasing role in the innovation environment. The main questions that are investigated in this research are: 1. What is the characterization of the search regime in genomics? and 2. How do the properties of the search regime help us to understand the geographical distribution of dynamic networks of genomics?’ In order to investigate these research questions this research makes use of the search engine: Web of Science. Downloaded publication data for 1988-2008 in the field of genomics are organized in databases created in Microsoft Excel and Access in order to conduct the analyzes at the micro level. Aggregated publication data forms the basis for several numerical and visualization analyses based on the different properties. Analytical software available on the world wide web (ISI.exe, Cities.exe, GPS visualize and Google Earth) are the main tools, used to conduct the analyses. Finally, the search regime seems to be an attractive approach as it allows for a natural economic and effective interpretation of the characteristics of scientific development in genomics in the world.