Linking International Faculty Integration to International Academic Impact
The Moderating Role of Institutional Digitization Level in Chinese Universities
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22042982 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wenji Fan (0000-0002-3788-4845, Guangxi Normal University), Shangwei Fang (Guangxi Normal University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 792 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Education Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/educsci15070792 |
| OpenAlex | W4411471238 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 53 |
The introduction of international faculties is a crucial strategy in enhancing the talent pool of Chinese universities, yet its impact on scientific research development remains underexplored. This study investigates how the presence of an international faculty influences the international academic impact of 128 “Double First-class” Chinese universities from 2011 to 2020. Using benchmark regression models alongside endogeneity and robustness tests, the analysis incorporates moderating effects and heterogeneity to examine underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that the introduction of foreign faculty significantly enhances the international academic impact of these institutions. Furthermore, the scientific and technological human capital of a foreign faculty plays a key role in this effect. This study also finds that the universities’ level of digitalization significantly moderates the relationship between international faculty presence and academic impact. Additionally, the impact varies across regions and development levels, highlighting heterogeneity in outcomes. These findings suggest that Chinese universities should strategically strengthen the recruitment of international faculties, carefully assess their expertise, and leverage digital capabilities to maximize academic benefits. This research provides empirical evidence on the value of international faculties in advancing the global academic standing of Chinese higher education institutions
Digitization · Economic growth · Economics · Endogeneity · Higher education · Human capital · International education · Political science · Public relations · Computer Science · Higher Education Governance and Development · Psychology · scientometrics and bibliometrics research
Rankings and the Reshaping of Higher Education
Academic careers, patents, and productivity
Skills Mismatch
Globalisation and the university
Scientists’ collaboration strategies
Research upon return
The rise of research networks
Higher Education Crosses Borders
Internationalization in Higher Education, a Critical Review
The Internationalization of Higher Education
Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology
Internationalization strategies for non-Western higher educational institutions
Structural Holes versus Network Closure as Social Capital
Social Capital
The Reversed Brain Drain
A Quantitative Study of the Internationalization of the Academics and Research Productivity
Moving People and Knowledge
International Faculty
Scientific mobility and international research networks
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |