S1 E5: Production and Growth of Knowledge with Ben Jones from Northwestern University
Dec 11, 2023
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Ben Jones from Northwestern University discusses the evolution of knowledge production in teams, impact of COVID on research interactions, immigration's influence on entrepreneurship, and the analysis of age on entrepreneurial success. The episode also explores alternative career paths and challenges in academia.
Collaborative research teams tackle complex problems with specialized expertise.
Gender-diverse teams yield higher citation impact and innovative knowledge combinations.
Fairly crediting individual contributions in research teams is crucial for career recognition.
Deep dives
The Evolution from Solo to Team-Based Research
There has been a significant shift from solo research activities to teamwork across various research fields. This shift allows for more specialized expertise within teams, enabling them to tackle broader and more complex problems. For instance, the advancement from early solo efforts in aerospace engineering to modern aircraft design involving diverse disciplines showcases the collaborative nature required for cutting-edge technologies.
Impact of Gender Diversity in Research Teams
Research indicates that gender-diverse teams tend to have higher citation impact and generate more novel combinations of knowledge. While gender diversity enhances team performance, such teams are found to be underrepresented compared to all-male or all-female groups. This underlines the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives and talents in research teams to drive innovation and impact.
Challenges in Credit Allocation within Research Teams
Working in teams poses challenges in allocating credit fairly among team members, especially when evaluating individual contributions externally. This issue can lead to biases, particularly in crediting co-authored work, impacting career progression and recognition. Implementing transparent author contribution statements and objective credit signaling mechanisms can address these challenges in fostering equitable recognition within research teams.
Immigrants' Entrepreneurial Impact on Job Creation
Immigrants in the US are 80% more likely to start companies compared to native-born Americans, leading to a significant entrepreneurial effect. While the size of the companies founded by immigrants varies, their overall contribution to job creation outweighs the jobs they take as workers. This entrepreneurial trend showcases a positive impact on expanding opportunities for US-born workers, ultimately enhancing the labor market.
Age and Entrepreneurial Success
Contrary to the belief that young individuals are more innovative, research indicates that people peak in innovative activity around their 40s. Analyses of US startups reveal that the founders of high-growth companies are typically around 45 years old, emphasizing the value of experience in entrepreneurial success. While youth is often associated with entrepreneurial achievements, the data suggests that individuals improve their innovative potential with age, challenging the notion of age as a limiting factor in entrepreneurship.
In this episode, our guest is Ben Jones from Northwestern University. We are talking about how production of knowledge has changed over time, whether gender-diverse teams perform better, whether we have a bias towards multi-authored papers, immigration, age, and entrepreneurship, and more! Take a look at this episode and let us know your thoughts @POID_cast on X or email us at lsepoidcast@gmail.com!
Hosts: Ruveyda Gozen (@ruveyda_gozen) and John Van Reenen (@johnvanreenen)
06:00 Production of Knowledge
09:40 Multiple Co-authors and Gender: Who Gets the Credit?
25:00 Burden of Knowledge
33:00 Immigration and Entrepreneurship
41:00 Age and Entrepreneurship
46:30 Cheezy Questions!
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