Did Cheaper Flights Change the Direction of Science?

Christian Fons-Rosen, Christian Catalini and Patrick Gaulé

No 11252, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We test how a reduction in travel cost aff ects the rate and direction of scientifi c research. Using a fi ne-grained, scientist-level dataset within chemistry (1991-2012), we fi nd that after Southwest Airlines enters a new route, scientifi c collaboration increases by 50%, an eff ect that is magnifi ed when weighting output by quality. The bene fits from the lower fares, however, are not uniform across scientist types: younger scientists and scientists that are more productive than their local peers respond the most. Thus, cheaper flights, by reducing frictions otherwise induced by geography and allowing for additional face-to-face interactions, seem to enable better matches over distance.

Date: 2016-04
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Working Paper: Did Cheaper Flights Change the Direction of Science? (2016)
Working Paper: Did Cheaper Flights Change the Direction of Science? (2016)
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