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The Resistible Decline of European Science

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  • Thisse, Jacques-François
  • Bauwens, Luc
  • Mion, Giordano

Abstract

Using a data set of highly cited researchers in all fields of science, we show that the gap in scientific performance between Europe, especially continental Europe, and the USA is large. We model the number of highly cited researchers in a sample of countries as a function of physical and human capital and a country-specific, factor-augmenting Hicks-neutral productivity term. We find that differences in productivity between Anglo-Saxon countries and other countries are not solely due to differences in the levels of inputs. Not surprisingly, our results reveal the importance of English proficiency. However, they also show that the governance and design of research institutions that characterize Anglo-Saxon countries, as well as a few other countries that have similar institutions, is another critical factor for research output.

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  • Thisse, Jacques-François & Bauwens, Luc & Mion, Giordano, 2008. "The Resistible Decline of European Science," CEPR Discussion Papers 6625, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6625
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    Cited by:

    1. Quentin Max David, 2013. "Determinants of Research Production at Top Universities," Working Papers TIMES² 2014-007, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    2. Shahid Yusuf & Kaoru Nabeshima, 2009. "Growth through Innovation : An Industrial Strategy for Shanghai," World Bank Publications - Reports 18613, The World Bank Group.
    3. Sonia M. R. Vasconcelos & Martha M. Sorenson & Jacqueline Leta, 2009. "A new input indicator for the assessment of science & technology research?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 80(1), pages 217-230, July.
    4. Stelios Katranidis & Theodore Panagiotidis & Costas Zontanos, 2017. "Economists, Research Performance and National Inbreeding: North Versus South," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 46(1), pages 145-163, February.
    5. Daraio, Cinzia & Moed, Henk F., 2011. "Is Italian science declining?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 1380-1392.
    6. Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2019. "Spatial mobility in elite academic institutions in economics: the case of Spain," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 10(2), pages 141-172, June.
    7. Carillo, Maria Rosaria & Papagni, Erasmo & Sapio, Alessandro, 2013. "Do collaborations enhance the high-quality output of scientific institutions? Evidence from the Italian Research Assessment Exercise," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 25-36.
    8. Conti, Annamaria & Gaule, Patrick, 2011. "Is the US outperforming Europe in university technology licensing? A new perspective on the European Paradox," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 123-135, February.
    9. Mathieu Goudard & Michel Lubrano, 2013. "Human Capital, Social Capital And Scientific Research In Europe: An Application Of Linear Hierarchical Models," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 81(6), pages 876-903, December.
    10. Stelios Katranidis & Theodore Panagiotidis & Kostas Zontanos, 2022. "A note on the relative productivity drivers of economists: a probit/logit approach for six European countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 2171-2178, November.
    11. Polt, Wolfgang & Berger, Martin & Boekholt, Patries & Cremers, Katrin & Egeln, Jürgen & Gassler, Helmut & Hofer, Reinhold & Rammer, Christian & Deuten, Jasper & Good, Barbara & Warta, Katharina, 2010. "Das deutsche Forschungs- und Innovationssystem: Ein internationaler Sytemvergleich zur Rolle von Wissenschaft, Interaktionen und Governance für die technologische Leistungsfähigkeit," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 11-2010, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.
    12. Panaretos, John & Malesios, Chrisovalandis, 2012. "Influential Mathematicians: Birth, Education and Affiliation," MPRA Paper 68046, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Maria Rosaria Carillo & Erasmo Papagni & Alessandro Sapio, 2012. "Do collaborations enhance the high-quality output of scientific institutions? Evidence from the Italian Research Assessment Exercise (2001-2003)," Discussion Papers 4_2012, CRISEI, University of Naples "Parthenope", Italy.
    14. David Emanuel Andersson & Åke E. Andersson & Björn Hårsman & Xiyi Yang, 2020. "The geography of science in 12 European countries: a NUTS2-level analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(2), pages 1099-1125, August.
    15. Pedro Albarrán & Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2017. "Geographic mobility and research productivity in a selection of top world economics departments," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 241-265, April.
    16. Christian Reiner, 2010. "Brain competition policy as a new paradigm of regional policy: A European perspective," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(2), pages 449-461, June.
    17. Argyropoulou, Maria & Soderquist, Klas Eric & Ioannou, George, 2019. "Getting out of the European Paradox trap: Making European research agile and challenge driven," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 1-5.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Research performance; Citations; Knowledge economics; University governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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