Rankings Methodology for International Comparisons of Institutions and Individuals: an Application to Economics in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract.  The objectives of this paper are threefold. First, we critically survey and analyse the different methodologies that have been adopted in the rankings literature. Second, using journal articles included in the ECONLIT database and on the basis of two criteria – one based on citations and the other on perceptions of journal quality, we rank economics teaching departments in Australia and New Zealand for 1988–2002 and 1996–2002 and for individual academic economists for the periods 1988–2002, 1988–1995 and 1996–2002. Furthermore, we identify individual star performers and recognize them in a designated 'Hall of Fame' for 1988–2002. Third, our methodology enables us to make international comparisons on total and per capita bases. Previous multi-country ranking studies in economics do not rank economics departments. They provide rankings based on total publications in economics in universities regardless of whether the economists are in the economics departments or in other departments. Thus, no rankings on per capita bases are provided. We correct this shortcoming by providing total and per capita rankings and analysing the correlations between total and per capita rankings. This is the first study to examine whether the size of the economics department matters with regard to productivity.     

Derivative mortgage securities: An overview

Derivative mortgage securities have proliferated since planned amortization and floating rate CMO classes were introduced in late 1986. Other recently created derivative securities include reverse floaters and deep-discount bonds of CMOs, CMO residuals, and stripped and senior/subordinated passthroughs. These securities, which are derived from fixed-rate mortgages, were created to meet investor demands for maturity certainly, interest rate and prepayment hedging, and enhanced credit. The rapid growth of derivative securities reflects expansion of the investor base for fixed-rate mortgages. It also suggests that these mortgages will continue to be a viable housing finance instrument in a volatile interest rate environment. For the future, the increased creation of derivative securities will make the secondary mortgage market more efficient, facilitating the funding of fixed-rate mortgage originations.The substance of this paper was originally written in late 1987 and many of the specific data reflect that time period.     

Regulated Efficiency, World Trade Organization Accession, and the Motor Vehicle Sector in China

This article is concerned with the interaction of regulatedefficiency and World Trade Organization (WTO) accession andits impact on China's motor vehicle sector. The analysis isconducted using a 23 sector–25 region computable generalequilibrium model. Regulatory reform and internal restructuringare found to be critical. Restructuring is represented by acost reduction following from consolidation and rationalizationthat moves costs toward global norms. Without restructuring,WTO accession means a surge of final imports, though importsof parts could well fall as production moves offshore. However,with restructuring, the final assembly industry can be madecompetitive by world standards, with a strengthened positionfor the industry.     

A study of coordination in three research settings

The present paper reports findings from a study on coordination in three research settings—academic, cooperative-government, and industrial—and discusses their implications for research management. The study ascertains the relationship between coordination and research effectiveness, and examines how coordination operates and is attained in research settings. Two hypotheses regarding the relationship between coordination, research effectiveness, and integration of research staff are advanced and tested on research groups in the three research settings mentioned above. The results support the hypotheses and indicate that the relationships occur very generally regardless of the setting in which the research is conducted. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for research management and in particular the attainment of coordination in research settings.