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Resources and Research Production in Higher Education: A Longitudinal Analysis of Chinese Universities, 2000–2010

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Listed:
  • Liang Zhang

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Wei Bao

    (Peking University)

  • Liang Sun

    (Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

In this study we examined the resource–research relationship at China’s research universities. The stochastic frontier production function was employed in analyses of a panel data set on a group of the most research-intensive universities in China from 2000 to 2010. Results suggested overall tight relationships between various resources (including human resources, research expenditures, and research equipment) and research publications. Distinct patterns emerged when research publications were disaggregated by fields [i.e., science and engineering (SE) vs. non-science and engineering (non-SE)] and publishing venues (i.e., domestic vs. international journals). Research publications in SE, especially those published in international journals, depended heavily on all three resources, while research in non-SE depended more on human resources. In addition, results suggested that research in SE had shifted its focus from domestic to international publications during this period.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Zhang & Wei Bao & Liang Sun, 2016. "Resources and Research Production in Higher Education: A Longitudinal Analysis of Chinese Universities, 2000–2010," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(7), pages 869-891, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:57:y:2016:i:7:d:10.1007_s11162-016-9410-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-016-9410-6
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    3. Claudiu Vasile Kifor & Ana Maria Benedek & Ioan Sîrbu & Roxana Florența Săvescu, 2023. "Institutional drivers of research productivity: a canonical multivariate analysis of Romanian public universities," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(4), pages 2233-2258, April.
    4. Gralka, Sabine, 2018. "Stochastic frontier analysis in higher education: A systematic review," CEPIE Working Papers 05/18, Technische Universität Dresden, Center of Public and International Economics (CEPIE).
    5. Barra, Cristian & Lagravinese, Raffaele & Zotti, Roberto, 2018. "Does econometric methodology matter to rank universities? An analysis of Italian higher education system," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 104-120.
    6. Heinz Ahn & Marcel Clermont & Julia Langner, 2022. "The impact of selected input and output factors on measuring research efficiency of university research fields: insights from a purpose-, field-, and method-specific perspective," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(8), pages 1303-1335, October.
    7. Claudiu Vasile Kifor & Daniel Teodorescu & Tudorel Andrei & Roxana Săvescu, 2021. "Research Production and International Visibility in Higher Education: The Evolution of Romanian Universities from 2011 to 2019," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, December.

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