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The resistible decline of European science

Author

Listed:
  • BAUWENS, Luc

    (Université catholique de Louvain (UCL). Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE))

  • MION, Giordano

    (Université catholique de Louvain (UCL). Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE))

  • THISSE, Jacques-François

    (Université catholique de Louvain (UCL). Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE))

Abstract

Using a data set of highly cited researchers in all fields of science, we show that the gapin scientific performance between Europe, especially continental Europe, and the USAis large. We model the number of highly cited researchers in a sample of countries as afunction of physical and human capital and a country-specific, factor-augmentingHicks-neutral productivity term. We find that differences in productivity betweenAnglo-Saxon countries and other countries are not solely due to differences in the levelsof inputs. Not surprisingly, our results reveal the importance of English proficiency.However, they also show that the governance and design of research institutions thatcharacterize Anglo-Saxon countries, as well as a few other countries that have similarinstitutions, is another critical factor for research output.

Suggested Citation

  • BAUWENS, Luc & MION, Giordano & THISSE, Jacques-François, 2007. "The resistible decline of European science," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2007092, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvco:2007092
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    Cited by:

    1. Quentin Max David, 2013. "Determinants of Research Production at Top Universities," Working Papers TIMES² 2014-007, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    2. Shahid Yusuf & Kaoru Nabeshima, 2009. "Growth through Innovation : An Industrial Strategy for Shanghai," World Bank Publications - Reports 18613, The World Bank Group.
    3. Sonia M. R. Vasconcelos & Martha M. Sorenson & Jacqueline Leta, 2009. "A new input indicator for the assessment of science & technology research?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 80(1), pages 217-230, July.
    4. Stelios Katranidis & Theodore Panagiotidis & Costas Zontanos, 2017. "Economists, Research Performance and National Inbreeding: North Versus South," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 46(1), pages 145-163, February.
    5. Daraio, Cinzia & Moed, Henk F., 2011. "Is Italian science declining?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 1380-1392.
    6. Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2019. "Correction to: 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 173-173, June.
    7. Carillo, Maria Rosaria & Papagni, Erasmo & Sapio, Alessandro, 2013. "Do collaborations enhance the high-quality output of scientific institutions? Evidence from the Italian Research Assessment Exercise," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 25-36.
    8. Conti, Annamaria & Gaule, Patrick, 2011. "Is the US outperforming Europe in university technology licensing? A new perspective on the European Paradox," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 123-135, February.
    9. Rainer Frietsch & Sonia Gruber & Lutz Bornmann, 2025. "The definition of highly cited researchers: the effect of different approaches on the empirical outcome," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(2), pages 881-907, February.
    10. Mathieu Goudard & Michel Lubrano, 2013. "Human Capital, Social Capital And Scientific Research In Europe: An Application Of Linear Hierarchical Models," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 81(6), pages 876-903, December.
    11. Stelios Katranidis & Theodore Panagiotidis & Kostas Zontanos, 2022. "A note on the relative productivity drivers of economists: a probit/logit approach for six European countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 2171-2178, November.
    12. Polt, Wolfgang & Berger, Martin & Boekholt, Patries & Cremers, Katrin & Egeln, Jürgen & Gassler, Helmut & Hofer, Reinhold & Rammer, Christian & Deuten, Jasper & Good, Barbara & Warta, Katharina, 2010. "Das deutsche Forschungs- und Innovationssystem: Ein internationaler Sytemvergleich zur Rolle von Wissenschaft, Interaktionen und Governance für die technologische Leistungsfähigkeit," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 11-2010, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.
    13. Nagar, Jay Prakash & Breschi, Stefano & Fosfuri, Andrea, 2024. "ERC science and invention: Does ERC break free from the EU Paradox?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(8).
    14. Panaretos, John & Malesios, Chrisovalandis, 2012. "Influential Mathematicians: Birth, Education and Affiliation," MPRA Paper 68046, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Maria Rosaria Carillo & Erasmo Papagni & Alessandro Sapio, 2012. "Do collaborations enhance the high-quality output of scientific institutions? Evidence from the Italian Research Assessment Exercise (2001-2003)," Discussion Papers 4_2012, CRISEI, University of Naples "Parthenope", Italy.
    16. David Emanuel Andersson & Åke E. Andersson & Björn Hårsman & Xiyi Yang, 2020. "The geography of science in 12 European countries: a NUTS2-level analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(2), pages 1099-1125, August.
    17. Pedro Albarrán & Raquel Carrasco & Javier Ruiz-Castillo, 2017. "Geographic mobility and research productivity in a selection of top world economics departments," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 241-265, April.
    18. Christian Reiner, 2010. "Brain competition policy as a new paradigm of regional policy: A European perspective," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(2), pages 449-461, June.
    19. Argyropoulou, Maria & Soderquist, Klas Eric & Ioannou, George, 2019. "Getting out of the European Paradox trap: Making European research agile and challenge driven," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 1-5.

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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities

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