Polish scientific centres in the European cooperation network - characteristics, determinants, mechanisms

The subject of the research is the scientific and research potential of cities and regions and its relation to scientific cooperation in national and international dimension. The main objective of the research is to characterize the relations between the scientific potential and scientific cooperation of Polish cities and regions as compared to the rest of Europe. In the course of arriving at the objectives of the study the main hypothesis will be tested: there is a positive correlation between the scientific potential and the scope of scientific cooperation as well as the following detailed hypotheses:

• position in the cooperation network depends on the scientific potential;
• development of scientific cooperation translates into increase in the scientific potential;
• effective cooperation requires exceeding a certain level (critical threshold) of endogenous potential.

Undertaking the research problem in Poland is necessary and important for four principal reasons. First, the proposed study pertains to the issues crucial for socio-economic and civilizational development, i.e. scientific potential and innovativeness connected with it. Second, the project will have important effects not only at the exploratory level level, but also on the explanatory level. This is due to the fact that the project will provide added value in the form of a model of influence of scientific cooperation on scientific potential as well as innovativeness and development of cities/regions. Special attention will be paid to description and explanation of determinants and mechanisms of cooperation in respect of research and scientific work. Third, importance of the proposed project for development of regional research also results from use of data rarely used to such extent and for such purpose (Web of Science and SCOPUS bibliometric databases; CORDIS European projects database). Fourth, the results of the study will have significant applied dimension, which is particularly significant mostly in the perspective of the reform of the Polish university education and science system. This is connected to the fact that one of the objectives of the project is preparation of recommendations on building up scientific potential through support to cooperation.

The study will produce new knowledge, both factual and theoretical, pertaining to the connection between scientific cooperation and scientific potential phenomena in the context of development of cities and regions. A model of influence of scientific cooperation on scientific potential will be prepared. Recommendations will also be made (addressed to various target groups) pertaining to building up scientific potential by supporting cooperation. A tangible result of the project will be, among other things, a scientific monograph and publication of partial results in the form of articles, chapters in non-serial publications and conference papers.