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The solitude of stars. An analysis of the distributed excellence model of European universities

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  • Bonaccorsi, Andrea
  • Haddawy, Peter
  • Cicero, Tindaro
  • Hassan, Saeed-Ul

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of the transatlantic gap in research excellence between Europe and USA by examining the performance of individual universities. It introduces a notion of leadership in research excellence by combining a subjective definition of excellence with an objective one. It applies this definition to a novel dataset disaggregated for 251 Subject Categories, covering the 2007–2010 period, based on Scopus data. The paper shows that European universities are able to show excellence only in a few disciplinary areas each, while US universities are able to excel across the board. It explains this difference in terms of institutional differences in recruitment process and governance of universities. It discusses the European model of distributed excellence in terms of the recent rise of input competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Bonaccorsi, Andrea & Haddawy, Peter & Cicero, Tindaro & Hassan, Saeed-Ul, 2017. "The solitude of stars. An analysis of the distributed excellence model of European universities," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 435-454.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:11:y:2017:i:2:p:435-454
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2017.02.003
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    4. Cristian Barra & Ornella Wanda Maietta & Roberto Zotti, 2021. "The effects of university academic research on firm’s propensity to innovate at local level: evidence from Europe," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 483-530, April.
    5. Andrea Bonaccorsi & Daniele Biancardi & Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo & Federico Biagi, 2019. "Study on Higher Education Institutions and Local Development," JRC Research Reports JRC117272, Joint Research Centre.
    6. Bonaccorsi, Andrea & Belingheri, Paola & Secondi, Luca, 2021. "The research productivity of universities. A multilevel and multidisciplinary analysis on European institutions," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2).
    7. Csomós, György, 2018. "Reprint of “A spatial scientometric analysis of the publication output of cities worldwide”," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 547-566.
    8. Manuel Ennes Ferreira & Sandro Mendonça & João Pereira, 2018. "Gatekeeping African studies: What does “editormetrics” indicate about journal governance?," Working Papers Department of Economics 2018/07, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa.
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