Exploratory simulation of collective innovative behavior in global participatory science communities

Better understanding of how and why networks of open innovation and global participatory science communities form and evolve, and how they can be governed or influenced toward sustainable innovation and productive states are critical questions. To this end, a simulation-based exploratory study is conducted to better understand the conditions that confer increased rates of innovation in such socio-technical systems. Three types of open science communities are identified and simulated using agent simulation as a method of inquiry. Simulation results show that centrality, as a measure of degree of connectedness, exhibits positive influence for innovation output in exploratory and service communities up to a point. Also, utility-oriented communities have social network structures with low density and high centrality, suggesting high potential for innovation.