Social and human capital collaborator selection model for expert finding systems in research universities

Abstract

Due to the problem of information overload, users have a difficult time locating experts with the required expertise. Expert finding systems try to alleviate the information overload problem and recommend experts who can satisfy users‘ needs. In the context of research universities, expert finding systems support researchers in automatically locating research collaborators. However, there is a problem with the current expert finding systems, in which they retrieve experts based on the content of their documents, but neglect the human interaction perspective. The human interaction perspective comprises the factors that influence collaborator selection decisions in real life. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors that affect researchers' decision to collaborate with a particular research collaborator in the research universities context. This study develops a model by integrating Scientific and Technical Human Capital (STHC) model and Social Capital Theory (SCT) to examine the human capital, social capital, and cultural capital factors that influence researchers' decision to collaborate with a particular research collaborator. In carrying out the study, the researcher conducted a systematic literature review to identify the human capital, social capital, and cultural capital factors that influence collaborator selection. The proposed model's fourteen hypotheses were then tested quantitatively by surveying 349 researchers from Malaysian research universities. Subsequently, an analysis with the use of SmartPLS based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed to analyze all the survey data. The empirical results revealed that the significant factors that influence collaborator selection in the research universities context were as follows: cognitive accessibility, reliability, relevance, commitment, physical accessibility, cultural experiences, complementary skills, and research experience. Surprisingly, the results revealed that network ties, relational accessibility, and reputation were insignificant factors for collaborator selection. This study proposed a research model for collaborator selection in the research universities context, in which the research model can be utilized by expert finding systems designers, researchers, collaborators, and universities.