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Local Gains from Global Minds: The Impact of Collaborating with Foreign-Educated Researchers on Non-Mobile Researchers’ Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Ito, Rodrigo

    (Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn, RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research)

  • Visentin, Fabiana

    (RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn)

  • Cowan, Robin

    (RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn)

  • Chavarro Bohorquez, Diego

    (RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn)

  • Ciarli, Tommaso

    (Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn)

Abstract

Foreign-educated researchers who cross national borders for training can play an important role in contributing to research in their country of origin. Relying on a unique dataset of Colombian researchers, our study explores how researchers with Ph.D. training abroad affect the performance of researchers who do not work or study abroad (non-mobile researchers) through direct collaboration. Combining Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences estimations, we find that non-mobile researchers who co-author with foreign-educated researchers experience a significant improvement in their research performance. Co-authoring boosts the number of publications, citations, publications in top journals, and the share of publications in English. Interestingly, the extent of these improvements differs across scientific macro fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Ito, Rodrigo & Visentin, Fabiana & Cowan, Robin & Chavarro Bohorquez, Diego & Ciarli, Tommaso, 2025. "Local Gains from Global Minds: The Impact of Collaborating with Foreign-Educated Researchers on Non-Mobile Researchers’ Performance," MERIT Working Papers 2025-025, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2025025
    DOI: 10.53330/TMWR8460
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scellato, Giuseppe & Franzoni, Chiara & Stephan, Paula, 2015. "Migrant scientists and international networks," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 108-120.
    2. Katz, J. Sylvan & Martin, Ben R., 1997. "What is research collaboration?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 1-18, March.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O54 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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