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Subways and scientists' productivity under the NSFC program: Evidence from China

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  • Leng, Xuan
  • Zhang, Yichuan
  • He, Jiaxin

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of subway openings in Chinese cities on scientists’ productivity. Using the data from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, a difference-in-differences method is employed to explore the causal relationship between search costs and scientists’ productivity. We find subway openings significantly increase scientist’s productivity, particularly in terms of the number of publications and its’ quality. Regarding the underlying mechanism, we show that scientific collaboration and talent attraction both contribute to productivity. Furthermore, heterogeneous analysis reveals that the impact of subway openings on productivity is more pronounced among Double First-Class universities, young scholars, and disciplines requiring frequent face-to-face communication. Additionally, this research integrates face-to-face communication via subway access with online communication through Broadband China construction into a comprehensive framework. The findings suggest that while both modes of communication boost the scientists’ publication quantity, but only face-to-face interaction improves its’ quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Leng, Xuan & Zhang, Yichuan & He, Jiaxin, 2025. "Subways and scientists' productivity under the NSFC program: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:asieco:v:97:y:2025:i:c:s1049007825000247
    DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2025.101900
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Subway; Search costs; Scientific collaboration; Scientists' productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O36 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Open Innovation
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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