An introduction to the Economics of Fake Degrees

Gilles Grolleau (), Tarik Lakhal () and Naoufel Mzoughi

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Abstract: This paper critiques the multifarious ways whereby academic qualifications may be falsified in the international marketplace. The objectives are fourfold: (1) defining the main terms used such as fake degrees and diploma mills; (2) providing a brief history of fake degrees and identifying the factors that explain their recent development; (3) developing a theoretical framework to analyze fake degrees; and (4) exploring the costs and benefits of this activity and its net impact on a given society. Degrees serve instrumental and ceremonial purposes. It is argued that degree holders may be considered as members of a club. They confer to their holders excludable but non-rival property rights such as abilities, signalingand status. The paper contends that holders of fake degrees can be considered as "free riders" on these property rights, especially the status tied to legitimate degrees.

Keywords: accreditation; Status good; fake degrees; diploma mills (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00326238v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published in Journal of Economic Issues, 2008, 42 (3), pp.673-693

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Journal Article: An Introduction to the Economics of Fake Degrees (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00326238

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