òòò½Íø Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
The Elasticity of Science
òòò½Íø Journal: Applied Economics
(pp. 103–34)
Abstract
This paper identifies the degree to which scientists are willing to change the direction of their work in exchange for resources. Data from the National Institutes of Health are used to estimate how scientists respond to targeted funding opportunities. Inducing a scientist to change their direction by a small amount—to work on marginally different topics—requires a substantial amount of funding in expectation. The switching costs of science are large. The productivity of grants is also estimated, and it appears the additional costs of targeted research may be more than offset by more productive scientists pursuing these grants.Citation
Myers, Kyle. 2020. "The Elasticity of Science." òòò½Íø Journal: Applied Economics 12 (4): 103–34. DOI: 10.1257/app.20180518Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H51 National Government Expenditures and Health
- I10 Health: General
- I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions
- O31 Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
- O33 Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes