Proceedings of the 5th WSEAS International Conference on Economy and Management Transformation (Volume I) Assessing the propensity for interdisciplinary development of the doctoral scientific fields in the academic research Case study: The Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies CRISTINA LINCARU VASILICA CIUCĂ LUISE MLADEN DRAGA ATANASIU National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection Povernei no.68, Bucharest ROMANIA [email protected], [email protected] Abstract: In this paper we intend to evaluate the probability of development of interdisciplinary field of science as a result of finalized doctoral thesis. We assume that every finalized doctorate thesis can be described by a vector with three dimensions. First dimension is given by the position in the doctoral scientific field taxonomy (at national level), the second is set by the position in the advanced high education program taxonomy (ISCED 6-7) and the third dimension reflects the place occupied in an international scientific taxonomy. The relative positioning to the frontier of the new in the taxonomy’s coordinates offer the opportunity to evaluate the distributions of the probability density for chosen dimensions by application of the Generalized EM and k-Means Cluster Analysis. Key-Words: interdisciplinary research, interdisciplinary field, doctoral process, academic research, doctorate academic program 1 Introduction cognitive difference between them, according with a Scientific literature revealed that interdisciplinary specific taxonomy or classification. research has won a greater significance over the last Under an accelerate rhythm of change the new years. Professional attention to interdisciplinary research requirements arrives not only as a normative pursuit but emerged in the 1970s and flourished into the 1980s, then also as an objective manifestation of new problems. Next paled. Now, it appears to be on an ascending trend again. to the increasing demand of identification and J.T. Klein [1] attests that "the roots of the concepts lie in formulation of those new very complex challenges is a number of ideas that resonate through modern shaped also the increasing demand of finding and discourse - the ideas of a unified science, general building of new solutions. On this background, to knowledge, synthesis and the integration of knowledge". nominate the issue and possible to “give it a new name”, She noted that there are many interdisciplinary varieties to put the “diagnostic” – to locate this new problem in among which we can find “interdisciplinary field of relation with the existing paradigm/theory, to allocate study”. Chubin et al [2] argue that interdisciplinary instruments and methods and finally to develop a research should not be conceptualized with “discipline” solution becomes a priority to better describe the as the basic “indivisible” unit. Darden and Maull [3] structure of the Science in its entire spectrum. This suggest that a definition of interdisciplinary research spectrum is a universal alphabet that could join together should not refer to disciplines, but to research fields. the universe of scientific research as an activity, the We have started from the idea that “an universe of education and the universe of business. interdisciplinary field is a field of study that crosses traditional boundaries between academic disciplines or schools of thought, as new needs and professions have 2 Doctoral process – working hypothesis emerged” [4]. In our approach an interdisciplinary The importance of the doctorate is sustained by the scientific field represents a transition stage of a new emergence of the knowledge economy and its disciplinary field - of a new science. In this perspective competitive demands. The knowledge globalization an interdisciplinary scientific field represent a dynamic requires a high level of transparency in the doctoral transformation of a merging disciplinary fields, distinct process development. one against other, regardless the “distance” or the The doctoral process is organized by an authorized institution (in our case ASE Bucuresti). The entrance of ISSN: 1792-5983 369 ISBN: 978-960-474-240-0 Proceedings of the 5th WSEAS International Conference on Economy and Management Transformation (Volume I) the Phd student in the doctoral process is unique 3 Method allocated to a unique doctorate scientific field in In view to assess the propensity for interdisciplinary accordance with the national regulation. The process has development of the doctoral scientific fields we have two stages. The first one is theoretic (synthesized by the identified clusters using the following three variables: advanced high education program ISCED 6-7 (ASE): - codddASE - the code of doctorate scientific specialized disciplines names) and the second is a field assigned by the institution that organize the research oriented one - described by a scientific program doctorate (ASE) [7] corresponding to first dimension (possible to be classified with an (NABS 2007 code). In (table 1): our approach we consider the research program as a Table 1 black box. The Phd student could merge and integrate The code of doctorate scientific fiels assigned by the disciplinary fields to create a new, interdisciplinary one. institution that organize the doctorat (ASE) in conformity In this paper we intend to evaluate the probability of codddase with the national regulation development of interdisciplinary field of science as a 1 Business Administration result of finalized doctoral thesis. We assume that every 2 Cybernetics and Economic Statistics finalized doctorate thesis can be described by a vector 3 Accounting 4 Economics with three dimensions. First dimension is given by the 5 International Economic Relations position in the doctoral scientific field taxonomy (at 6 Finances national level), the second is set by the position in the 7 Economic Informatics advanced high education program taxonomy (ISCED 6 8 Management 7) and the third dimension reflects the place occupied in 9 Marketing an international scientific taxonomy. 10 Law The relative positioning to the frontier of the new in - cod_cod_ASE – the code of the advanced high the taxonomy’s coordinates offer the opportunity to education program ISCED 6-7 (ASE): specialized evaluate the distributions of the probability density for disciplines names (the second semester of the 20092010 chosen dimensions by application of the Generalized EM academic year), corresponding to the second dimension and kMeans Cluster Analysis. We have used the module (table 2): from STATISTICA 8.0. to automatically determine the Table 2 "best" number of clusters from the data [5], using vfold codddase cod_cod_ASE Advanced high education programme ASE: cross-validation techniques. specialized disciplines names (2009-2010 universitary year) Our working hypothesis are: 1 1 Business strategies in services a. the professor that coordinates the doctorate have 1 2 Quality management and excellence in business an highly expertise in the field in which coordinate the doctoral program; 1 3 Business intelligence systems b. the thesis should be allocated into a specific 1 4 Organization and knowledge dynamics in international taxonomy, with a unique identity by business 2 5 Applied mathematics in economics the author himself; 2 6 Multidimensional analysis of data c. our analysis is focused on the scientific field 2 7 Games theory perspective ignoring the varieties of organizing 2 8 Surveys and polls schemes (with /without bourse, with/without 3 9 Epistemological approaches in accounting and presence, with/without taxes); concepts and practices in auditing d. the previous minimum ISCED 5 (with the First 3 10 Conceptual difficulties and credibility of Stage of Tertiary Education finalized [6]) accounting 3 11 Management of the financial-accounting specialization of the doctoral program information beneficiary is ignored. Here is possible to 3 12 Accounting theory and specific practices develop the same discussion regarding the regarding financial reporting differences in the background of the educational 4 13 Qualitative modeling and structuring the research program field of science in relation with the topics doctorate scientific field. 4 14 Comparative analysis of the economic systems and models The model could use classifications/taxonomies 4 15 Regional and rural sustainable development like: at international level - UNESCO nomenclature, 4 16 Dynamics of the economics principles and OECD’s FOS 2007 etc.; at European level: CERIF, economic policies CRIS Data Model, Frascati, Cambera and Oslo manuals, NABS 2007; at national level: CIP 2000 - USA, ASRC 2008 Australia, JACS – United Kingdom etc. ISSN: 1792-5983 370 ISBN: 978-960-474-240-0 Proceedings of the 5th WSEAS International Conference on Economy and Management Transformation (Volume I) 5 17 International investments The "code" of doctorate scientific field assigned by the institution that organise the doctorate (ASE-Ro) by 5 18 International trade and financial markets Faculty that hoste the doctoral studies through ISCED 6-7 level educational programmes 14 5 19 Risk management in international business 5 20 European integration economics 12 International Economic Relations Marketing 5 21 International economics Management Finances 6 22 Insurances economics 10 Economics Law 6 23 Risk and performance on the stock market Accounting Cybernetics and economic statistics 6 24 Corporate finances 8 6 25 Public finances and public options 6 26 Monetary economics 6