Certified Random: A New Order for Coauthorship
American Economic Review
vol. 108,
no. 2, February 2018
(pp. 489-520)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Alphabetical name order is the norm for joint publications in economics. However, alphabetical order confers greater benefits on the first author. In a two-author model, we introduce and study certified random order: the uniform randomization of names made universally known by a commonly understood symbol. Certified random order (i) distributes the gain from first authorship evenly over the alphabet; (ii) allows either author to signal when contributions are extremely unequal; (iii) will invade an environment where alphabetical order is dominant; (iv) is robust to deviations; (v) may be ex ante more efficient than alphabetical order; and (vi) is no more complex than the existing alphabetical system modified by occasional reversal of name order.Citation
Ray, Debraj ⓡ Arthur Robson. 2018. "Certified Random: A New Order for Coauthorship." American Economic Review, 108 (2): 489-520. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20161492Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- A14 Sociology of Economics
- Z13 Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification