The Russian University Excellence Initiative: Is It Really Excellence that Is Promoted?

35 Pages Posted: 21 May 2019

See all articles by Nataliya Matveeva

Nataliya Matveeva

National Research University Higher School of Economics

Ivan Sterligov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Maria Yudkevich

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Date Written: May 20, 2019

Abstract

We estimate the effect of the Russian University excellence program (Project 5-100) initiated by the Government in 2013 on research performance of top Russian universities which received, on a competitive basis, substantial financial support within this program. To do so we use an econometric analysis of longitudinal data applying a linear growth model with mixed effects, with different characteristics of research output as dependent variables. We demonstrate that there is a significant positive effect of Project 5-100 which appeared from the very first years of its implementation – that is, the universities receiving financial support demonstrate a substantial, steady increase in publications both measured in total numbers and per capita when compared to universities from the control group. An analysis of the structure of publication output allows us to demonstrate that not only quantitative but also qualitative growth has taken place, although the impact of Project 5-100 on quality is heterogeneous across universities and disciplines. Finally, we examine to what extent the change in the structure of research output may be attributed to changes in research collaboration patterns.

Keywords: research universities, university research performance, scientometrics, research collaboration, Web of Science, university excellence initiatives, Russia

JEL Classification: I23, I28, C22

Suggested Citation

Matveeva, Nataliya and Sterligov, Ivan and Yudkevich, Maria, The Russian University Excellence Initiative: Is It Really Excellence that Is Promoted? (May 20, 2019). Higher School of Economics Research Paper No. WP BRP 49/EDU/2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3391182 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3391182

Nataliya Matveeva (Contact Author)

National Research University Higher School of Economics ( email )

136, Rodionova street
25/12, Bolshaya pecherskaya street
Nizhniy Novgorod, Moscow 603155
Russia

Ivan Sterligov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

Maria Yudkevich

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

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