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CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Virtual Proximity and Collaboration

Objective

This research program aims to enhance understanding of the effects of virtual proximity on knowledge spillover, by studying how distant researchers interacting together virtually at an online event affects subsequent knowledge co-production and diffusion, respectively using collaborative publication and citation behaviour as proxies. Similar to physical proximity that relies on face-to-face interactions between individuals to establish potential collaborative links, virtual conferences attempt to create a virtual sense of spatial proximity. Thus, this proposal introduces a new dimension of proximity – virtual proximity. Although it lacks the direct connections to other attendees afforded by physical conferences, virtual proximity is defined as a setting where individuals can still interact together virtually on a common topic of interest.
A hybrid research methodology is used for the project, with one part consisting of quantitative analysis using primarily archival data, and the second part consisting of qualitative interviews to not only substantiate the quantitative results but also to better understand the underlying mechanisms. To mitigate endogeneity issues, I will use a difference-in-differences model to contrast a sample of researchers who participated in virtual conferences to a matched sample of qualitatively similar sample of researchers – in terms of research area, prior productivity, prior citations and experience – who did not attend, before and after the virtual meeting.
Given path dependence of research, the finding of positive relationships would imply that over time the cumulative effect on knowledge spillover from virtual proximity has a significant impact in steering the research path of participants. Moreover, the results would also suggest that even when researchers are proximate virtually for a short period of time, they can reap similar collaborative benefits to permanent and temporary colocation.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

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Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

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Coordinator

ASSOCIATION GROUPE ESSEC
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 173 076,00
Address
AVENUE BERNARD HIRSCH
95021 Cergy Pontoise Cedex
France

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 173 076,00
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