The power of speed: High-speed railways and scientific research competitiveness in China

Ping Li, Yujing Wang, Meng Li and Haoyu Gao

Journal of Asian Economics, 2024, vol. 95, issue C

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact opening of high-speed railways (HSR) on scientific research competitiveness using data from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) research grants. We employ a difference-in-differences framework to estimate the causal effects of the treatment universities located in cities connected by HSR. Our results indicate that the treatment universities experience significant improvements in their scientific research competitiveness. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we reveal the extensive positive effects of HSR on human capital accumulation, government funding, and information resources. These findings shed light on the microscopic mechanisms that facilitate positive spillover of knowledge creation and innovation resources from large cities to small cities through transportation infrastructure.

Keywords: Transportation infrastructure; scientific research competitiveness; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)； (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O15 O31 R11 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:asieco:v:95:y:2024:i:c:s1049007824001283

DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2024.101833

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