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Economics of Smash-Hit Papers: Spillover Evidence from the 'Male Organ Incident'

Author

Listed:
  • Kässi, Otto
  • Westling, Tatu

Abstract

This study explores the short-run spillover effects of popular research papers. We consider the publicity of 'Male Organ and Economic Growth: Does Size Matter?' as an exogenous shock to economics discussion paper demand, a natural experiment of a sort. In particular, we analyze how the very substantial visibility influenced the downloads of Helsinki Center of Economic Research discussion papers. Difference in differences and regression discontinuity analysis are conducted to elicit the spillover patterns. This study finds that the spillover effect to average economics paper demand is positive and statistically significant. It seems that hit papers increase the exposure of previously less downloaded papers. We find that part of the spillover effect could be attributable to Internet search engines' influence on browsing behavior. Conforming to expected patterns, papers residing on the same web page as the hit paper evidence very significant increases in downloads which also supports the spillover thesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Kässi, Otto & Westling, Tatu, 2011. "Economics of Smash-Hit Papers: Spillover Evidence from the 'Male Organ Incident'," MPRA Paper 33173, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:33173
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Glenn Ellison, 2011. "Is Peer Review In Decline?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 49(3), pages 635-657, July.
    2. McKenzie, David & Ozler, Berk, 2011. "The impact of economics blogs," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5783, The World Bank.
    3. Westling, Tatu, 2011. "Male organ and economic growth: does size matter?," MPRA Paper 32302, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Rik Pieters & Hans Baumgartner, 2002. "Who Talks to Whom? Intra- and Interdisciplinary Communication of Economics Journals," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 40(2), pages 483-509, June.
    5. Brown, Lawrence D, 2003. "Ranking Journals Using Social Science Research Network Downloads," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 291-307, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Hoe is het nu met?
      by Thijs in eco.nomie.nl on 2011-11-23 15:01:56

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    scholarly spillover; media; blogs; downloads; natural experiment; difference in differences; regression discontinuity design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists

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