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Evidence of Competition in Research Activity among Economic Department using Spatial Econometric Techniques

Author

Listed:
  • J. Paul Elhorst

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Katarina Zigova

    (Department of Economics, University of Konstanz, Germany)

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of both competitive forces and patterns of collaboration within academic communities, studies on research productivity generally treat universities as independent entities. By exploring the research productivity of all academic economists employed at 81 universities and 17 economic research institutes in Austria, Germany, and German-speaking Switzerland, this study determines whether a research unit’s productivity depends on that of neighboring research units. The significant negative relationship that is found implies competition for priority of discovery among individual researchers, as well as the universities and research institutes that employ them. In addition, the empirical results support the hypotheses that collaboration and the existence of economies of scale increase research productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Paul Elhorst & Katarina Zigova, 2011. "Evidence of Competition in Research Activity among Economic Department using Spatial Econometric Techniques," Working Paper Series of the Department of Economics, University of Konstanz 2011-04, Department of Economics, University of Konstanz.
    • Handle: RePEc:knz:dpteco:1104
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    File URL: http://www.uni-konstanz.de/FuF/wiwi/workingpaperseries/WP_Zigova-4-11.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Peng, Ling & Hong, Yongmiao, 2013. "Productivity spillovers among linked sectors," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 44-61.
    4. Jaehee Hwang & Jonghoon Park & Seongwoo Lee, 2018. "The Impact of the Comprehensive Rural Village Development Program on Rural Sustainability in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-21, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Research productivity; Competition; Collaboration; Negative spatial autocorrelation; Geo-referenced point data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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