Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers
Creation-Date: 2021-05-17
Number: 21-044/VII
Author-Name: Lorenzo Ductor
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Granada
Author-Name: Bauke Visser
Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus University Rotterdam
Title: Concentration of power at the editorial boards of economics journals
Abstract: Evolutionary arguments and incentive theory point to the importance of variety and rotation of editorial board members to stimulate innovative research. Using a unique dataset covering more than 100 economics journals over the period 1990-2011, we document trends in the incidence of multiple positions, editorial duration and institutional background for more than 6,100 board members. We put these figures into perspective using the literature on boards of directors and measures of market concentration. The picture that emerges is of a discipline with a high concentration of institutional and individual power, especially at the more prestigious journals. Evidence suggests this indeed matters: there is a strong negative association between editorial duration and journal impact.
Classification-JEL: A11, A14, O31
Keywords: editorial boards, journals, concentration, power, busyness, impact
File-URL: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/21044.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 1251954 bytes
Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20210044