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JOURNAL OF INFORMETRICS; 2008; 2(4):272 - 279

Combining mapping and citation network analysis for a better understanding of the scientific development: The case of the absorptive capacity field

Authors: Calero-Medina C, Noyons ECM
Abstract:
The general aim of this paper is to show the results of a study in which we combined bibliometric mapping and citation network analysis to investigate the process of creation and transfer of knowledge through scientific publications. The novelty of this approach is the combination of both methods. In this case we analyzed the citations to a very influential paper published in 1990 that contains, for the first time, the term Absorptive Capacity. A bibliometric map identified the terms and the theories associated with the term while two techniques from the citation network analysis recognized the main papers during 15 years. As a result we identified the articles that influenced the research for some time and linked them into a research tradition that can be considered the backbone of the "Absorptive Capacity Field". (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication type:
Article in Journal

  
Authors (2)
Research programs (1)
  
Dr. E.C.M. (Ed) Noijons
Centre for Science and Technology Studies
Senior researcher and research fellow and assistant director at CWTS. Coordinator of mapping studies.Education: Drs. Dutch Language and Literature (Universiteit Utrecht, 1989)PhD Quantitative studies of science (universiteit Leiden, 1999)
MSc Clara Calero Medina
Researcher. MSc in economics from Carlos III University, Madrid. From November 2002 at CWTS. Her work concerns mapping and research assesment projects. Next to her CWTS work she is finishing  her Ph.D. under the supervision of  Professor A.F.J. van Raan. Her Thesis is about citations and ...