Article

Publishing and Promotion in Economics: The Tyranny of the Top Five

James J. HeckmanHenry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Director of the Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago, Director of the Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group sponsored by INET, and a Research Professor for the American Bar FoundationSidharth MoktanCenter for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago

2020en

ABI

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between placement of publications in top five (T5) journals and receipt of tenure in academic economics departments. Analyzing the job histories of tenure–track economists hired by the top 35 US economics departments, we find that T5 publications have a powerful influence on tenure decisions and rates of transition to tenure. A survey of the perceptions of young economists supports the formal statistical analysis. Pursuit of T5 publications has become the obsession of the next generation of economists. However, the T5 screen is far from reliable. A substantial share of influential publications appear in non-T5 outlets. Reliance on the T5 to screen talent incentivizes careerism over creativity.( JEL A14, I23, J44, J62)

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1257/jel.20191574

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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