Abstract

An Asymmetrical Probabilistic Affinity Index (PAIAsym) is introduced to capture preferential ties between countries while accounting for the perspective of the leading country in scientific co-publications. Unlike the traditional PAI, it assesses country–country affinities assuming that the country of the corresponding author plays a more significant role in shaping partnerships as opposed to treating all countries as equal contributors. Joint publications led by France with North African partners (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), or vice-versa, revealed distinct trends of asymmetrical preferences when analyzed in the context of the global co-publication network since 1996. Early on, both groups had similar and strong affinity for each other regardless of who led the research. Later on, the affinity diverged as France’s partnership preference declined when in a leading role, more steeply compared to North African countries’ affinity to partner with France when they were leading. The usefulness of PAIAsym is discussed from various perspectives.

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