The Role of the Top Five in Germany

Abstract

For economic research activity at German universities, the USA structure is commonly taken as a role model. There, publications in the leading scientific journals, the Five, are crucial for an academic career. Does this also apply to German universities? The empirical analysis shows several interesting differences between a survey among doctoral students; the requirements formulated in advertisements for professorial positions; and the actual appointments. The doctoral students share the view concerning the importance of the Top Five and believe that publishing in Top Five journals is necessary for an appointment at Universities of Excellence but not for other universities in Germany. Most advertisements for professorial posts state that publications in top journals are required or highly desired. In the case of appointments to assistant professorships, only at a few Universities of Excellence are the high publication requirements also reflected in the publications actually acquired. For appointments to permanent professorships (W3), the discrepancy is smaller in the case of Universities of Excellence but a large discrepancy exists for lower-ranked universities. When applying for an assistant professorship, a risk assessment should be made: A Top Five strategy is very risky, and it may be better to publish more in other scientific journals.