The role of experience and diversity on research consortia' performance: an exploratory approach

In the realm of academic engagement, this study directs its focus toward a policy instrument that has received surprisingly scant attention within the literature, despite its substantial investment: European Union-funded research projects. These projects are designed to foster collaboration and establish a framework that supports and fortifies the creation and dissemination of exceptional knowledge and cutting-edge technologies. These endeavors are anticipated to fuel economic growth, spur social development, and address global challenges. Within this study, we delve into the impact of team experience and diversity on the research performance of consortia - groups of organizations - that have been successfully awarded funding within the FP7 and H2020 funding schemes. In order to dissect the influence of learning, our analysis is confined to consortia that have collaborated on multiple occasions. Drawing from data sourced from Community Research and Development Information Service, our findings unveil that beyond the monetary allocation, an array of team attributes and environmental factors play a role in augmenting team performance. The European Union (EU) invests millions of euros annually in research projects, aiming to foster collaboration among European institutions and countries. These initiatives seek to generate and share advanced knowledge and technologies, fostering economic growth, social development, and global problem solving. Consortia, formed by various organizations, apply for and often secure funding across multiple program cycles. Our study explores the factors that contribute to the successful collaboration of these consortia, leading to positive outcomes like increased learning, improved coordination, and a higher number of scientific publications. The findings indicate that a range of team qualities and environmental factors play a role in improving team performance.