Modeling interdisciplinary cooperation networks for innovation-focused university research projects: an agent-based approach

Abstract Interdisciplinary cooperation networks within higher education institutions stimulate the generation of knowledge, but their process and dynamics remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates how the diverse knowledge contributions of network participants shape the formation of innovation-focused research projects. Using an agent-based modeling (ABM) framework, we conceptualize the pathways through which these projects develop interdisciplinary networks in universities. The findings reveal that integrating interdisciplinary knowledge plays an important role in fostering innovation-focused university research projects. However, increased interdisciplinarity does not necessarily lead to improved outcomes. Optimal efficiency emerges when projects involve collaboration among approximately two to three fields. Moreover, the model highlights risks associated with knowledge lock-in, which can arise when network dynamics limit academic cooperative behaviors. These insights underscore the pivotal role of interdisciplinary cooperation in academic research and provide valuable guidance for higher education institutions as well as policymakers aiming to optimize research outcomes.