An econometric investigation of the productivity gender gap in Mexican research, and a simulation study of the effects on scientific performance of policy scenarios to promote gender equality
Lorena Rivera Leon, Jacques Mairesse & Robin Cowan
#2016-072
This paper provides evidence on the existence and determinants of the
publication productivity gender gap in Mexico at the individual level
and on its consequences on the Mexican scientific system and
productivity at disciplinary and aggregate levels. The paper specifies
and performs a panel data econometric analysis based on a sample of
Mexican researchers who are members of the National System of
Researchers (SNI) of Mexico in the period 2002-2013. It corrects for a
selectivity bias: the existence of periods with no (or low quality)
publication, and endogeneity bias: the promotion to higher academic
ranks. We define and implement counterfactual simulations to both
effects, assess the magnitude of macro-impacts of existing gender gaps
and illustrate the potential effects of a range of policy scenarios. The
results show no significant gender gaps for an average SNI researcher.
Moreover, when correcting for the endogeneity and selectivity biases, we
find that the average female researcher in public universities is around
8% more productive than her male peers, with most of the observed
productivity being explained by gender differentials in the propensity
to have periods of no (or low) quality publication. We find that
barriers to promotion to higher academic ranks are highest among females
in public research centres. Our macro scenarios on promotion practices,
selectivity, collaboration and age show that eliminating gender gaps
would increase aggregate productivity by an average of 7% for university
females and 9% for females in research centres.
JEL Classification: C23, I23
Keywords: scientific productivity, gender productivity puzzle, Mexico, economics of science, economics of gender