The Nobel “Pride” Phenomenon: An Analysis of Nobel Prize Discoveries and Their Recognition

Max von Zedtwitz*, Tobias Gutmann, Pascal Engelmann

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

The Nobel Prize is considered one of the highest forms of recognition of scientific accomplishment, conferring immense prestige upon its recipients. Given the significant time lag between the award and the discovery, Nobel Prizes are bestowed to individuals associated with institutions and countries other than the original place of the discovery. Contextualizing our research in status-seeking literature, we define the imprecise and sometimes excessive appropriation of Nobel Prizes by institutions and even countries as the “Nobel ‘Pride’ Phenomenon”. Our empirical analysis focuses on the time and location of the 653 discoveries underlying each of the 350 Nobel Prizes in medicine, physics, and chemistry until 2024. About one-third of all Nobel laureates came from another institution or country. Furthermore, Nobel Prize creativity is highly concentrated, with more than 80 % of discoveries made in just five countries. These findings cast new light on the Nobel laureates' demographics, geographic and historical movements, and institutional affiliations, and have implications for research policy at institutions and national levels.
Original languageEnglish
Article number105150
JournalResearch Policy
Volume54
Issue number1
Number of pages13
ISSN0048-7333
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Bibliographical note

Published online: 6 November 2024.

Keywords

  • Geography of innovation
  • Nobel Prize
  • International research
  • Elite science
  • Scientist mobility
  • Signaling theory

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