During the last two decades, less than 10% of countries have had the necessary capacities for high participation in international research activities. These countries have occupied central positions in the inter-country research collaboration network. This study, using the theoretical framework of the social system, tried to understand which subsystems were involved in achieving the central position. Based on the theoretical model of the research, an empirical study was conducted using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to identify the political, economic, social, and cultural factors that simultaneously led to the central position in the inter-country research collaboration network from 2002 to 2017. Data was analyzed through two novel methodological strategies: fuzzy-set ideal type analysis and strategy of multiple periods, single fsQCA. The results indicated the existence of twenty types of central countries and four causal configurations leading to the central position. This study concludes that in liberal democratic states, at least two political and economic subsystems exist. In non-liberal democratic states, at least three political, economic, and social subsystems must intervene to achieve the central position. By identifying causal configurations leading to the central position through the social system framework and strategies of tracking configurations over time with fsQCA, this study contributes to the literature on international research collaboration. It also offered suggestions to improve the semi-peripheral countries\\\\\\\' position.

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