How does size matter for science? Exploring the effects of research unit size on academics' scientific productivity and information exchange behaviors

Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of research unit size on academics' scientific output and communication behavior with peers, controlling for individual and organizational characteristics, including the academics' engagement in teaching. Results show that research unit size does not influence total scientific output, but rather the scientific output profile of individual academics. Upon disaggregating the output we find that academics at larger research units publish more in international than in national peer-reviewed journals. This suggests that research unit size positively affects international visibility, a venue that may proxy for research quality. The analysis also shows that as research unit size increases, it influences academics' overall communication. Most importantly, the academics' information exchange with peers at both national and international levels is highest at larger research units, suggesting that research unit size facilitates contact with academics at both national and international institutions.