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Explaining the transatlantic gap in research excellence

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Bonaccorsi

    (University of Pisa
    IRVAPP-FBK, Istituto per la Ricerca Valutativa sulle Politiche Pubbliche)

  • Tindaro Cicero

    (Italian Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes ANVUR)

  • Peter Haddawy

    (Mahidol University)

  • Saeed-UL Hassan

    (Information Technology University of the Punjab)

Abstract

The paper exploits a newly created dataset offering several detailed bibliometric data and indicators on 251 subject categories for a large sample of universities in Europe, North America and Asia. In particular, it addresses the controversial issue of the distance between Europe and USA in research excellence (so called “transatlantic gap”). By building up indicators of objective excellence (top 10% worldwide in publications and citations) and subjective excellence (top 10% in the distribution of share of top journals out of total production at university level), it is shown that European universities fail to achieve objective measures of global excellence, while being competitive only in few fields. The policy implications of this state of affairs are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Bonaccorsi & Tindaro Cicero & Peter Haddawy & Saeed-UL Hassan, 2017. "Explaining the transatlantic gap in research excellence," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 110(1), pages 217-241, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:110:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-016-2180-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-016-2180-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Leporia, Benedetto & Geuna, Aldo & Mira, Antonietta, 2018. "Scientific Output of US and European Universities Scales Super-linearly with Resources," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis LEI & BRICK - Laboratory of Economics of Innovation "Franco Momigliano", Bureau of Research in Innovation, Complexity and Knowledge, Collegio 201806, University of Turin.
    3. 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.
    4. Garcia-Zorita, Carlos & Rousseau, Ronald & Marugan-Lazaro, Sergio & Sanz-Casado, Elias, 2018. "Ranking dynamics and volatility," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 567-578.
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    6. Benedetto Lepori & Aldo Geuna & Antonietta Mira, 2019. "Scientific output scales with resources. A comparison of US and European universities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, October.

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