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Breaking the Iron Rice Bowl: Tenure-Track Systems and the Rise of Academic Innovation in China

delete2026-02-01
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黄维 cover
黄维 (Wei Huang)
刘清风 (Qingfeng Liu)
邢剑炜 (Jianwei Xing) *
S
Shilin Zheng
DOI:10.1093/ej/ueaf093delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This study leverages personnel system reforms within economics departments at Chinese universities to assess the impact of the tenure-track system on research productivity. Using individual-level data on faculty members, we show that tenure-track faculty produce 0.135 (or 100%) more publications in high-quality journals annually during their probationary period compared to faculty hired under the traditional personnel system. Our findings suggest that this increase in productivity is driven by the recruitment of high-potential researchers, heightened pressure due to performance-based employment risks and enhanced incentives, including higher salaries and increased research funding. Moreover, we observe that the varied implementation details influence the actual effects of the reform. Overall, the university tenure-track reform has been a significant contributor to the increased productivity in Chinese economic research.
Keywords:
TEMPORARY CONTRACTS
PRODUCTIVITY
EMPLOYMENT
REFORM

Journal

Economic Journal cover
Economic Journal
IF:
3.6
Papers:
5.5K
Citations:
1.6W

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