Do first-generation immigrant scholars outperform native researchers? Evidence from US business schools

A multicultural and inclusive research environment is widely recognized as a key driver of institutional and national innovation. However, the academic performance of immigrant scholars remains an underexplored area, with much of the existing literature focused on specific or outdated contexts. Our study addresses this gap by investigating the mobility trends of contemporary researchers, specifically immigrant scholars who study and work in their host countries and assessing their scientific output. Using a panel dataset of faculty members from the top 150 business schools in the United States, we compare the academic productivity (publication quantity) and publication quality (journal prestige) of immigrant scholars with that of their US-born counterparts. The results reveal several key insights. First, while immigrant scholars initially demonstrate a publication advantage upon entering the US system, this advantage diminishes over time, resulting in a widening productivity gap relative to native scholars. Second, both female and male immigrant scholars experience a nonlinear decline in productivity and quality compared to their native peers, with male immigrants facing a steeper decline. Notably, the economic development level of immigrants’ home countries does not significantly explain these disparities. Instead, cultural factors, such as membership in the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, provide consistent evidence of the factors influencing performance differences among immigrant scholars. These findings underscore the critical challenges faced by US academic institutions in supporting the integration and sustained productivity of immigrant scholars. Addressing issues related to cultural adaptation and fostering an equitable academic environment requires ongoing attention and strategic interventions to maximize the contributions of a diverse scholarly workforce.