nep-sog New Economics Papers
on Sociology of Economics
Issue of 2015‒01‒03
four papers chosen by
Jonas Holmström
Axventure AB

  1. The Comparative Analysis of the NHH and BI Networks By Belik, Ivan; Jörnsten, Kurt
  2. Happiness of economists By Lars P. Feld; Sarah Necker; Bruno S .Frey
  3. The superiority of economists By Fourcade, Marion; Ollion, Etienne; Algan, Yann
  4. Economists: cheaters with altruistic instincts By Muñoz-Izquierdo, Nora; Gil-Gómez de Liaño, Beatriz; Rin-Sánchez, Francisco Daniel; Pascual-Ezama, David

  1. By: Belik, Ivan (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics); Jörnsten, Kurt (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics)
    Abstract: Based on the co-authorship networks of the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and the BI Norwegian Business School we present a comparative analysis in terms of structures, collaborations and publications. The networks’ structures are based on the NHH and the BI faculties’ publications recognized by the ISI Web of Science for the period 1950 – Spring, 2014. The analysed networks cover the publication activities of the NHH and the BI faculty members based on the data retrieved from ISI Web of Science in Spring, 2014.
    Keywords: Co-authorship networks; social networks analysis
    JEL: Z13
    Date: 2014–10–13
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nhhfms:2014_034&r=sog
  2. By: Lars P. Feld; Sarah Necker; Bruno S .Frey
    Abstract: This study investigates the determinants of economists’ life satisfaction. The analysis is based on a survey of professional, mostly academic economists from European countries and beyond. We find that certain features of economists’ professional situation influence their well-being. Happiness is increased by having more research time while the lack of a tenured position decreases satisfaction in particular if the contract expires in the near future or cannot be extended. Surprisingly, publication success has no effect on satisfaction. While the perceived level of external pressure also has no impact, the perceived change of pressure in recent years has. Economists may have accepted a high level of pressure when entering academia but do not seem to be willing to cope with the increase observed in recent years.
    Keywords: Happiness; academiclabormarket; extrinsicandintrinsicmotivation; publish or perish-culture
    JEL: I31 A11 J28
    Date: 2014–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cra:wpaper:2014-16&r=sog
  3. By: Fourcade, Marion; Ollion, Etienne; Algan, Yann
    Abstract: In this essay, we investigate the dominant position of economics within the network of the social sciences in the United States. We begin by documenting the relative insularity of economics, using bibliometric data. Next we analyze the tight management of the field from the top down, which gives economics its characteristic hierarchical structure. Economists also distinguish themselves from other social scientists through their much better material situation (many teach in business schools, have external consulting activities), their more individualist worldviews, and in the confidence they have in their discipline's ability to fix the world's problems. Taken together, these traits constitute what we call the superiority of economists, where economists' objective supremacy is intimately linked with their subjective sense of authority and entitlement. While this superiority has certainly fueled economists' practical involvement and their considerable influence over the economy, it has also exposed them more to conflicts of interests, political critique, even derision.
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:maxpod:143&r=sog
  4. By: Muñoz-Izquierdo, Nora; Gil-Gómez de Liaño, Beatriz; Rin-Sánchez, Francisco Daniel; Pascual-Ezama, David
    Abstract: Based on an experiment conducted with undergraduate students from three different majors (business economics, psychology and engineering), we study the relationship between honesty and altruism. We asked participants to toss a coin with a black and a white side. Participants won a chocolate if they reported the white outcome, whereas no gift was given if they reported black. It was done privately, so they could decide whether or not to cheat. Reporting the prize-losing side (that is, being honest when losing) could result in 3 effects, depending on the 3 conditions run: (i) no penalty, (ii) paying a penalty, or (iii) paying a penalty with an altruistic end (a donation to a non-profit organization). The amount of penalty was decided by each participant and the payment was also done in private. Although we cannot detect dishonesty on an individual level, we use statistical inference to determine cheating behavior. We find suggestive evidence that economics is significantly the most dishonest major when no penalty is involved. With economists in the lead, the results also indicate that all majors cheat if a penalty is requested. Surprisingly, when altruism plays a role, economists tend to have the most altruistic behavior, followed by psychologists. However, altruism does not reduce engineers' propensity to lie. No significant differences are found regarding gender.
    Keywords: Cheating, altruism, penalty, donation
    JEL: A12 D03 D64
    Date: 2014–12–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:60678&r=sog

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