Central positions and performance in the scientific community: evidences from clinical research projects

Literature claims for a deeper understanding of which processes shape the evolution of network structures over time. Drawing on the assumption that the “normative ideal” network structure should be understood according to the context in which the network is embedded, we observe collaborative networks generated by the necessity to respond to meeting regulatory requirements. We address the following research questions: What are the effects of centrality on performance in cooperative networks? Which network structural characteristics are relevant in cooperative research networks? We test our hypotheses in a cooperative network made of 114 clinical trial research projects. We provide evidence that, in collaborative networks, an actor's centrality is likely to increase according to its past structural holes. Moreover, we observe that an actor's centrality has a negative effect on performance.