Unveiling Research Synergies in the Western Balkans

Abstract The Western Balkan economies have undergone significant socio-economic transformations over the past few decades. Despite significant progress, the region’s research landscape is characterised by fragmented research efforts, limited funding and insufficient regional research cooperation. This article explores research collaboration within the Western Balkans, focusing on common research areas identified in the process of developing smart specialisation strategies. The study aims to understand the structure and dynamics of existing research networks and assess the evolution of research cooperation by comparing two consecutive periods. By analysing data from the Scopus database on Computer Science and Environmental Science publications over a ten-year period (2014–2023), the study employs Social Network Analysis to map and examine research collaboration networks. Findings reveal increased decentralisation and connectivity, suggesting a shift towards more balanced collaboration. This study advances understanding of research synergies in the Western Balkans, providing actionable insights for policymakers, funding organisations and researchers to foster more effective and targeted collaboration.