Evolution of regional scientific collaboration networks: China-Europe emerging collaborations on nano-science

This study analyses the dynamics of regional scientific collaboration networks between Chinese and European regions on the emerging nano-science field. Using data on the co-author publications between Chinese and European nano-scientists for the period 1990–2011, the results enable us to identify the evolutionary and active collaboration networks between China and Europe. The driving forces for engaging cross-border regional collaboration networks are identified between a new global science polar and a traditional scientific superpower. This analysis suggests that the rapid and uneven growth of scientific collaboration networks between China and European Union membership nation's evolutes, which resulting from multiple factors. Implications for promoting global-regional collaborations among scientists' communities are discussed. 186 Y. Chen et al. (2013) 'Evolution of regional scientific collaboration networks: China-Europe emerging collaborations on nano-science', Int. research focuses on R&D globalisation and science and technology policy (Chinese Outbound FDI focus on R&D), innovation in emerging technologies/industries. He has published some papers in journals such as Scientometrics, The World Economy, China & World Economy. research for the past 20 years has focused on social networks and the origins of technological communities in the context of emerging knowledge-based innovations. He serves as Vice President of the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA). He has dozens of publications. He has conducted many research projects on innovation management, particularly in the Chinese high technology industry, and published extensively in the international and Chinese journals. This paper is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled 'Evolution of regional scientific collaboration networks in nanoscience between China and the EU-15 member states' presented at 2012