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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 489-520 |
Number of pages | 32 |
Journal | American Economic Review |
Volume | 108 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2018 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics and Econometrics