(The) effects of competitive funding on the scientific productivity

Abstract

Despite increasing government financial support for the development of science and technology, our understanding of the effect of funding methods on scientific research performance is largely limited. This study investigates effects of the Project-Based System (PBS) policy implemented in 1996 on the productivity of researchers at Korean government-funded research institutes by focusing on changes in quantitative, qualitative, and productivity distributions. The Difference-in-Differences (DiD) method and the Difference-in-Difference-in-Differences (DDD) method were employed using panel data, which combined information on researchers, research institutes, and research performance. Results of the study showed that while PBS—which is the increased competitive research funding policy—had a generally positive effect on improving the quantitative and qualitative productivity of most researchers, it had a negative effect on those with relatively short research experience. No variations in productivity distribution resulting from the policy change were observed.