Sources of Convergence and Divergence in University Research Quality: Evidence from the Performance-Based Research Funding System in New Zealand

Abstract

The introduction of performance-based research funding systems (PBRFS) in many countries has generated new information on the impact of these systems. Recent research has considered whether such systems generate convergence or divergence of research quality across universities and disciplines. However, little attention has been given to the processes determining research quality changes. This paper utilises anonymised longitudinal researcher data over fifteen years of the New Zealand PBRFS to evaluate whether research quality changes are characterised by convergence or divergence, and the processes determining those dynamics. A unique feature of this research is the use of longitudinal data to decompose changes in researcher quality into contributions arising from the entry, exit and quality transformations of retained researchers, and their impacts on the convergence or divergence of research quality of universities and disciplines. The paper also identifies how researcher dynamics vary systematically between universities and disciplines, providing new insights into the effects of these systems.