This article assesses international partnerships by observing research collaboration dynamics of International Relations research groups of MERCOSUR. We contest the models based on center–periphery or North–South divide as we built our assessment to explain the collaboration dynamics both in an international and regional level from the agent’s point of view. We moved beyond Scientometric analysis and conducted an exploratory case study with interviews, a focus group and a questionnaire. We demonstrate that, despite asymmetries, researchers from the South do not have a passive role in the interactions and exchanges, as there is space for reciprocity and agency. We argue that integration of research through international partnerships is pragmatic and the condition of autonomy varies according to the features of the groups, their positions within the field and the prestige of their researchers.

中文翻译：

---

国际关系中的跨国研究合作伙伴关系：南方共同市场研究小组的实践研究—重新构想全球北-全球南分界以外的学术活动

本文通过观察南方共同市场国际关系研究小组的研究合作动态来评估国际伙伴关系。当我们建立评估以从代理商的角度解释国际和区域层面的合作动态时，我们会根据中心-外围或南北分界对模型进行竞争。我们超越了科学计量分析，并通过访谈，焦点小组和调查表进行了探索性案例研究。我们证明，尽管存在不对称现象，但南方的研究人员在互动和交流中没有消极作用，因为存在互惠和代理的空间。我们认为，通过国际合作伙伴关系进行研究整合是务实的，自主权的条件会因群体的特征而异，