Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Cowan, Robin
Author-workplace-name: RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, Mt Economic Research Inst on Innov/Techn
Author-Name: Jonard, Nicolas
Title: Rankings and Job Market Dynamics
Abstract: Among the many changes that have affected academic life in recent decades we draw attention to two: increasing collaboration in the production of knowledge, and the rising prominence of (automated) “rankings” in evaluation of individuals and institutions. In this paper we build a model to address the effect of the latter in the presence of the former. Scientists collaborate to create new knowledge. Intra-department collaborations dominate, but cross-department knowledge flows are present in two forms: collegial links outside a department, and a job market whereby scientists can change departments. Rankings enter the model through the job market: they are parametrized to control the extent to which they are used to evaluate job candidates on the one side, and job openings on the other side of the market. We find that when rankings are aggressively pursued aggregate knowledge output is lower, and further, knowledge production at both individual and department levels is more stratified or segregated. These effects can be mitigated by encouraging extra-department collaboration, but we observe that this strategy will erode the coherence (and purpose) of the department structures in which universities are currently organized.
Classification-JEL: d83,o31,o32
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 20241119
Number: 2024-031
File-URL: https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ws/files/225023241/wp2024-031.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 669997
Handle: Repec:unm:unumer:2024031
DOI: