International science collaboration as a complex adaptive system in the work of Loet Leydesdorff

Abstract Loet Leydesdorff revolutionized science studies by characterizing scientific communications as an emergent social system that exhibits nonlinear dynamics including feedback loops, emergence, and self-organizational traits. A network of international collaboration (derived from coauthorships) was an appealing system to investigate because it reflects a next-order dynamic that feeds back to the national and local levels. Leydesdorff and colleagues discovered a reputationally regulated incentive mechanism that operates globally. A worldwide network was demonstrated as growing denser and more integrated over time, signaling that players and states are interested in participating at that level. As the network grew, significant hubs arose and clusters formed around leaders; yet, the network became more decentralized, implying that power was shifting away from historic leaders like the United States. Increasing density resulted in shorter pathways across the global network, promoting rapid dispersion and creating chances for new entrants. The global system was found to contain small worlds and display self-organized criticality, as predicted by a complex adaptive system. The insights developed by Leydesdorff provide insight into the dynamics of knowledge creation which can help policymakers better support science by using principles of network governance.