Collaboration across the globe: Time zone differences and citations

Miriam Manchin

Research Policy, 2025, vol. 54, issue 8

Abstract: This research examines how time zone differences among co-authors of peer-reviewed articles influence citations. The analysis reveals that articles with authors spanning wider time zones receive more citations, even after controlling for physical distance, the number of co-authors, the number of countries, time since publication, journal-specific factors, and in some specifications also co-author team specific factors with fixed effects. Specifically, a one-hour increase in the average time zone difference between authors is associated with a 4% increase in citations compared to the sample mean. The relationship exhibits an inverted U-shape, where a time zone difference of 5 to 6 h, which allows for sufficient overlap, yields the highest positive coefficient (about 15% increase in citations). Field specific results indicate that one potential mechanism through which time zone differences can improve publication outcome is by facilitating faster collaboration and accelerating research outcomes.

Keywords: Scientific cooperation; Time zone differences; Research collaboration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F69 O31 O39 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:54:y:2025:i:8:s0048733325001258

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105296

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