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Bootstrapping Science? The Impact of a Return Human Capital Programme on Chinese Research Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Ash, Elliott

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Cai, David

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Draca, Mirko

    (University of Warwick, CAGE)

  • Liu, Shaoyu

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

We study the impact of a large-scale scientist recruitment program – China’s Junior Thousand Talents Plan (é ’å¹´å ƒäººè®¡åˆ’) – on the productivity of recruited scholars and their local peers in Chinese host universities. Using a comprehensive dataset of published scientific articles, we estimate effects on quantity and quality in a matched difference-in-differences framework. We observe neutral direct productivity effects for participants over a 6-year post-period: an initial drop is followed by a fully offsetting recovery. However, the program participants collaborate at higher rates with more junior China-based co-authors at their host institutions. Looking to peers in the hosting department, we observe positive and rising productivity impacts for peer scholars, equivalent to approximately 0.6 of a publication per peer scholar in the long-run. Heterogeneity analysis and the absence of correlated resource effects point to the peer effect being rooted in a knowledge spillover mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Ash, Elliott & Cai, David & Draca, Mirko & Liu, Shaoyu, 2022. "Bootstrapping Science? The Impact of a Return Human Capital Programme on Chinese Research Productivity," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 628, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:628
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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