The organization of scientific collaborations

摘要: Abstract Based on empirical analysis of 53 multi-institutional collaborations in physics and allied sciences, we find that generalizations about the essentially informal collective social organization collaborative projects science stem largely from a narrow high-energy particle experiments. Cluster reveals variety organizational formats can be grouped into four types, ranging bureaucratic to participatory. Except for physics, which is overwhelmingly participatory non-bureaucratic, membership other three types mostly cross-disciplinary. The four-fold typology discriminates with respect their technological practices. structure leadership related character interdependence data acquisition, analysis, communication results: greater leads decentralization less formalization. We conclude extrapolation characteristics scientific general unjustified.