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Concentration of power at the editorial boards of economics journals

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Ductor

    (University of Granada)

  • Bauke Visser

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

Evolutionary arguments and incentive theory point to the importance of variety and rotation of editorial board members to stimulate innovative research. Using a unique dataset covering more than 100 economics journals over the period 1990-2011, we document trends in the incidence of multiple positions, editorial duration and institutional background for more than 6,100 board members. We put these figures into perspective using the literature on boards of directors and measures of market concentration. The picture that emerges is of a discipline with a high concentration of institutional and individual power, especially at the more prestigious journals. Evidence suggests this indeed matters: there is a strong negative association between editorial duration and journal impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Ductor & Bauke Visser, 2021. "Concentration of power at the editorial boards of economics journals," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 21-044/VII, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20210044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Sihua Ding & Marcin Dziubiński & Sanjeev Goyal, 2021. "Clubs and Networks," Working Papers 20210073, New York University Abu Dhabi, Department of Social Science, revised Dec 2021.
    3. Cloos, Janis & Greiff, Matthias & Rusch, Hannes, 2023. "Editorial favoritism in the field of laboratory experimental economics," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    4. Aistleitner, Matthias & Kapeller, Jakob & Kronberger, Dominik, 2022. "The authors of economics journals revisited: Evidence from a large-scale replication of Hodgson & Rothman (1999)," ifso working paper series 20, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Socioeconomics (ifso).
    5. Stephan Puehringer & Georg Wolfmayr, 2023. "Organizers and promotors of academic competition? The role of (academic) social networks and platforms in the competitization of science," ICAE Working Papers 152, Johannes Kepler University, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    editorial boards; journals; concentration; power; busyness; impact;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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