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Scientific Article details

Title Economics of Biobanking: Business or Public Good? Literature Review, Structural and Thematic Analysis
ID_Doc 70552
Authors Baláz, V; Jeck, T; Balog, M
Title Economics of Biobanking: Business or Public Good? Literature Review, Structural and Thematic Analysis
Year 2022
Published Social Sciences-Basel, 11, 7
DOI 10.3390/socsci11070288
Abstract This paper reviewed the relevant scientific literature on the business and economics of biobanking to explore key themes and paradigms. The structural properties of the literature were investigated, such as key authors, journals, studies, as well as co-citation and co-authorship networks; the study revealed that the research on business and economics is a niche area within the vast biobanking literature. The research is concentrated in a relatively small number of journals, institutions, and countries, which is rather surprising given the substantial public investment in and concerns about biobank sustainability. The structural analysis also suggested major themes in research on biobanking business and economics and noted shifts in focus on specific themes. The commercialisation of samples is more acknowledged than before but under the condition of equitable sharing of benefits across various stakeholders. Most biobanks are heavily subsidised by the public sector and are considered public goods rather than business enterprises. This is OK, but underutilisation of specimens and low rates of cost recovery suggest that the current mainstream operating model is hardly sustainable. With many biobanks maturing, long-term sustainability became a key topic of the discussion on biobanking trends.
Author Keywords biobanking; business; economics; literature review; sustainability; network analysis
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
EID WOS:000832159400001
WoS Category Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Research Area Social Sciences - Other Topics
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/7/288/pdf?version=1656646274
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