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Piecework versus merit pay: a mean field games approach to academic behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Damien Besancenot
  • Jean-Michel Courtault
  • Khaled El Dika

Abstract

This paper applies the mean field game approach pioneered by Lasry and Lions [2007] to the analysis of researchers? academic productivity. It provides a theoretical motivation for the stability of the universally observed Lotka?s law. It shows that a remuneration scheme taking into account researchers? rank with respect to the academic resume can induce a larger number of researchers to overtake a minimal production standard. It thus appears as superior to piecework remuneration.

Suggested Citation

  • Damien Besancenot & Jean-Michel Courtault & Khaled El Dika, 2012. "Piecework versus merit pay: a mean field games approach to academic behavior," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 122(4), pages 547-563.
    • Handle: RePEc:cai:repdal:redp_224_0547
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Courtault, Jean-Michel & Hayek, Naïla & Rimbaux, Eric & Zhu, Tong, 2010. "Research in economics and management in France: A bibliometric study using the h-index," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 329-337, April.
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    10. Louis Lévy-Garboua, 2008. "Rapport sur le premier concours national d'agrégation de l'enseignement supérieur pour le recrutement de Professeurs des Universités en Sciences Economiques (Année 2007-2008)," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 118(5), pages 603-623.
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    Cited by:

    1. Damien Besancenot & Habib Dogguy, 2015. "Paradigm Shift: A Mean Field Game Approach," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(3), pages 289-302, July.

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