Does the Number of Publications Matter for Academic Promotion in Higher Education? Evidence from Lebanon

Abstract

This paper uses unique data from Lebanon to explore the factors affecting promotion in academia. We use the Ordered Probit model to answer the research question empirically. The results indicate that the number of publications is an essential factor affecting promotion decisions. Moreover, our findings indicate a quadratic relationship between age and promotion, reaching a peak at 62 years. After this turning point, age and promotion become negatively correlated. When dividing our sample by academic generations, we find that the number of publications is an important determinant for promotion only for the cohort who graduated after the year 2000. Finally, after dividing by gender, the results suggest that males and females who publish more have equal chances of earning a promotion.